CAMDEN — Richard (Dick) Matlack, aged 82, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2023 at Quarry Hill Retirement Community in Camden, Maine, after living valiantly with Parkinson’s Disease in his later years.

He is survived by Hilary Duckering Matlack, his wife of 57 years, his children Duncan and Megan, and four grandchildren.

Dick was born Feb. 1, 1941, grew up in Moorestown, New Jersey, and spent summers at his family camp on Megunticook Lake in Camden.

Upon graduating from Princeton University in 1963, he volunteered for two years with the Quakers as a Conscientious Objector in Algeria, North Africa. While there he helped rebuild the country’s infrastructure after the Algerian War of Independence.

It was there that Dick met Hilary who was volunteering as a nurse with an English organization sponsored by the United Nations. The two were married July 17, 1965, in Nottingham, England. They settled at Westtown Boarding School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he taught high school chemistry.

In 1969, Dick and Hilary moved to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and he started his 30-year career with Scott Paper Company.

From 1980 to 1987, Dick and his family transferred to Muskegon, Michigan, with the Paper Company. In 1987, he and his family returned to Maine, and he retired in 1999.

A year later he and Hilary moved full time to their former summer camp in Owls Head, Maine, which they purchased in 1967.

In retirement, Dick enjoyed many activities, including kayaking, sailing, woodworking, and creating in his machine shop.  During the holiday seasons he enjoyed volunteering at the Farnsworth Museum where he helped set up and run the model trains.

He was also active with the George’s River Land Trust, serving on its Board of Directors for many years.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held this coming August. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the George’s River Land Trust in his name.