Richard Ernest Peterson

Richard Ernest Peterson was born on April 13, 1931, in Cumberland, Maine, to Ernest and Evelyn Peterson. He was their first son and second oldest child, growing up with his siblings, Doris, Lloyd, and Kenneth, all of whom preceded him in death.

Richard attended Greely High School, then known as Greely Institute, before leaving in 1949 to work on a farm. It was there that he met Jean, with whom he had two sons, Gordon and Dave. Though that marriage eventually ended, Richard later found love again with Norma, and together they had two children, Tamra and Mark, who preceded him in death. Richard had a working man’s hands, a strong back, and a heart built for service. He spent 20 years with Congdon Transportation, volunteered as a firefighter, and sold real estate with Peterson Realty. No relation — but he never corrected people if they assumed he was the boss. He also ran a concession stand at the Oxford Speedway in the 1960s and ’70s, where he fell in love with the roar of engines and the thrill of car racing, becoming a devoted NASCAR fan for the rest of his life. He was a landlord, a businessman, and a man full of stories about both — always eager to share a tale of tenants, deals, and the quirks of property ownership in Maine.

Then came the chapter he loved telling most: the time he met Vivien. It was 2001, on one of his annual timeshare trips to Key West. Richard, ever the competitor, had been winning all the icebreaker games when Vivien, a woman who clearly knew how to pick a winner, asked if she could be his partner. That was all it took. A man who had built his life on strength and resilience found himself knocked over by fate and love. Shortly after, he left behind the cold Maine winters and moved to Virginia. They married the following year, beginning what he often called their “17-year honeymoon of service.”

In Virginia, Richard threw himself into community life with his trademark energy and good humor. He joined Heritage Presbyterian Church and rarely sat still — whether he was helping The Bike Doctor fix bicycles for kids, moving trees to landscape the church grounds, or hammering away on a mission trip to Mexico. He was a mainstay at the Saturday morning Men’s Prayer Breakfast, a steady presence on the church’s Property Committee, and a volunteer at the hypothermia shelter, offering warmth and kindness to those who had nowhere else to go.

Richard also became an active member of the Kiwanis Club, where he collected donations at the farmers market, delivered baskets of food to United Community Ministries (now United Community), and spent every holiday season on the Christmas tree lot, lifting trees onto car roofs with the strength of a man half his age. He stayed in shape at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, where he proudly ranked among the top three weightlifters, earning the right to wear sleeveless shirts no matter the occasion. Even in his later years, he remained a favorite patient in physical therapy, charming every therapist with his stories and determination.

Richard’s life was one of hard work, humor, and service. He was a man who believed in showing up, in rolling up his sleeves, and in giving his time and strength to those who needed it. He never shied away from a challenge, whether it was fixing a bike, lifting a Christmas tree, or making a new friend. Even when his body finally slowed him down, his spirit never did.

Richard leaves behind his sons, Gordon and Dave (Julie); grandchildren, Joshua Peterson and Erin Coyne (David); great-grandchildren, Braden, Colin, and Noah Coyne; stepchildren, Denise Oliver (LaFontaine) and Malcolm Doldron (Cecilia); and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, friends, and family in Virginia, Maine, and Key West. He was a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. His stories will live on, his kindness will be remembered, and his presence will be deeply missed.