ORRINGTON – Richard Small Haseltine, 92, passed away Nov. 14, 2011, in the home that he built, with his wife, Virginia by his side. Dick was born July 4, 1919, in Dexter, to Theo and Geneva Haseltine.
He graduated from high school in Dexter in 1937. After Christmas in 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and in 1943 he was sent to England where he flew 25 missions as radio operator/gunner in a B-17 flying out of England on bombing missions over Germany. He was awarded the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In Westover, Mass., Dick helped develop a radio school, which was awarded a citation as being the best in the 1st Air Wing. There he served as chief instructor until the end of the war. Dick went on to attend Middlebury College in Vermont, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in American literature while freelancing as a photographer. After moving back to Maine, Dick worked for Prudential Life Insurance Co. for 21 years, eventually leaving to form his own company, The Counselor Hearing Aid Service. Through the years Dick was a devoted husband and father; Scoutmaster in Newport; Sunday school teacher at Orrington Methodist Church; selectman for Orrington, 1968-1972; and was president of Maine Hearing Aid Dealers Association, 1977-1979. As an artist specializing in pastel portraits, Dick was a member of Bangor Sketch Club, The Photographic Society of America and Bangor Camera Club.
Dick is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ginny; son, Rick Haseltine and partner, Cyndi Simpson; son, Scott Haseltine and wife, Nancy D’Agostino; granddaughter, Carrie Patterson and husband, Jason Patterson; great-grandchildren, Moriah Patterson and Jacob Patterson; and his sister, Bev Tilson. He was predeceased by three sisters, Natalie Haseltine, Bernice Parker and Marguerite Lane.
A private memorial service will be held in the spring. Because Dick was a husband who regularly brought flowers home to his wife, please take this opportunity to send flowers to someone you love.