Richard T. Wyman

Richard "Rick" Wyman, 80, of Cape Elizabeth passed away on September 26, 2025, after many years of living valiantly with metastatic prostate cancer. His family was privileged to care for him at home for the last few days of his life, and is grateful for that time with him.

Rick was born in Farmington ME to Edwin and Charlene Wyman, the youngest of their three children. He loved to tell stories of growing up in the small town of North Anson, where he was known as a "chatterbox". He never lost that endearing quality. His parents moved to Portland in 1958 and he attended Deering High School, a huge change from the small schools of North Anson, and one with which he struggled. He was given the choice of transferring either to Hebron Academy or Gould Academy, and he chose Gould because it was co-ed (of course!). He thrived at Gould, and was a loyal "Gouldie" all his life, serving for many years on their Board of Trustees.

In 1962, Rick's beloved mother passed away from breast cancer. In 1965, his first wife, Meredith Langley, passed away suddenly from complications of asthma, less than two years after their young son Christian was born. These two tragedies shaped his life in many ways. In 1969, he married Judith Kane and they had three daughters, Kendall, Sally and Betsy, before divorcing in 1989. In 1991, he and Victoria McLucas West ("Vicki") began their married life and had nearly 34 years together, through peaks and valleys, many wonderful times, and a few potholes along the way.

Rick graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1966 with a degree in history, and embarked on a commercial insurance career that spanned over forty years, retiring in 2009. He held positions with UNUM, Bradish-Young, Morse, Payson and Noyes, and ultimately Marsh and McLennan and its predecessor companies. Rick worked hard for his clients. He earned their respect, and, in many cases, their friendship.

Rick enjoyed many pursuits during his life, including golf, tennis, hiking, camping, canoeing, and fly fishing, but he was most passionate about alpine skiing and cruising on the Maine coast. He was introduced to skiing around the age of 11, but things really got going when his family moved from North Anson to Portland in 1958, when he could tag along with his neighbors to Pleasant Mountain. A few years later, his brother-in-law Werner Rothbacher became the ski school director at Sugarloaf Mountain, and Rick found his "home mountain". He raced alpine skiing at both Gould Academy and the University of Maine, and remained an accomplished skier his entire life, logging 30+ days on snow last winter. He loved seeing his children and grandchildren grow in their own skill and love of the sport – nothing made him happier than a run down Gauge with one or more of them.

Rick was introduced to sailing when his parents became members of the Portland Yacht Club. He and Vicki enjoyed sailing the beautiful Maine coast on "Whimbrel", their Sabre 30, and "Silkie", the 1982 Sabre 34 they purchased in 2004. "Silkie" took them as far as Northeast Harbor several times, and to many wonderful places in between Northeast and Casco Bay. Members of the club formerly known as NNESA became great friends along the way, with hours shared working at the boatyard, rendezvous, meet-ups, cocktail parties, dinners out, and cruises in company, adding to the enjoyment of being on the water. Daughter Kendall joined him for many cruises, and those were very special times for both of them.

Rick enjoyed folk, blues, reggae and classical music as well as the poetry of Robert Frost. In his later years, he surprised his family by devouring historical novels about the early British Empire and reading his way through the complete works of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. He passed on his passion for music and literature to his children, along with countless lessons about living a meaningful life: work hard, finish what you start, be trustworthy, make a plan, never run away from something but always toward something, and never forget to carry Chapstick and nail clippers.

Though words of affection did not always come easily to him, Rick's love was unmistakable. He showed it in his steady presence, in the quiet choices he made to secure the happiness of those he loved, and sometimes in the simple act of arriving-armed with one of his five beloved vacuums-ready to help.

Rick was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Meredith, and his brother Edwin "Ted" Wyman. He is survived by his wife Vicki, his sister Betsy Rothbacher of Peabody MA, his son Christian Wyman of Newburyport MA, daughters Kendall Wyman (Rick Cote) of Kennebunk, Sally Weiss (Gabe) of Yarmouth, Betsy Robinson (Brian) of Yarmouth, his four grandchildren Henry, Thomas, Read and Avery, and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

There will be no funeral or burial, as Rick wished to be cremated, but a reception for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland ME from 4 pm to 7 pm in the Elizabeth Hobbs Hospitality Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to WinterKids (www.winterkids.org), the Maine Seacoast Mission (www.seacoastmission.org), or Gould Academy (www.gouldacademy.org). The family invites those who wish to honor Rick's memory to share a day on the water, take a run down a favorite ski trail, or cast a line in a quiet Maine stream- reflecting the adventures that brought him so much joy.

Rick's life was extended and enhanced by the great care he received from Dr. Christian Thomas, Dr. Mark Wrona and their teams at New England Cancer Specialists. The family also wishes to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for their assistance, skill and compassion.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.