Richard “Dick” Sundberg, of Damariscotta, passed away on May 9, 2024 at the age of 86. Dick grew up with his two siblings, Janet and Gordon, in Warwick, R.I. After high school he served as a communications specialist with the U.S. Army in Korea. Upon return from Korea he studied computer programming at the University of Rhode Island. Dick worked in computer services at various Rhode Island higher education institutions, including URI, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island, until his retirement.
Dick met Barbara, his wife of 63 years, at Camp Aldersgate when they were 16. They and their children, Karen and David, spent as much time as possible exploring Narragansett Bay on the various sailboats and motorboats they owned over the years. Dick’s love of the water extended to a part-time job as harbormaster of North Kingstown, sailboat racing, winter frostbiting, and family cruises to Block Island, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Maine.
Dick and Barbara fell in love with Maine on those summer cruises. They retired to Newcastle, and later moved across the river to Damariscotta. Dick quickly embraced their new community, shucking oysters for the hospital fundraiser, and ringing the donation bell (with yellow Lab, Bucky) for the Salvation Army. Dick and Barbara became involved with the Damariscotta River Association, maintaining and walking the hiking trails the DRA supported. They continued to spend time on the water, paddling, sailing, and motoring Maine’s rivers, lakes, and harbors, and never tiring of the scenery and wildlife. Dick was often seen at the helm of Alewife, a Herreshoff 12 1/2, on the Damariscotta River. In recent years, David, his wife, Laura, Karen and her husband, Erik, converged in Damariscotta for summer family vacations complete with puffin or lighthouse cruises. Dick was also an enthusiastic gardener and woodworker. He put his woodworking skills to use restoring boats, building docks, and constructing informational kiosks for DRA properties.
Dick will be missed by his family and his many friends. Plans for a small gathering to celebrate his generous spirit are forthcoming.
