1919 – 2013

AUBURN — Richard O. Dawe, 93, of Auburn, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Aug. 6.

He was born Nov. 17, 1919, in Calais, the son of Leo and Edith (Fenderson) Dawe. He graduated from Calais Academy in 1938 and Beal College in Bangor in 1940.

Richard served three-and-one-half years in the 354th Fighter Squadron of the 8th Air Force during World War II, serving in England and Germany.

He was employed by Western Union Telegraph Company for 27 years, and the Auburn School Department for 10 years.

He was an avid artist and painted landscapes and seascapes throughout the years. He loved painting murals, some as large as 5 by 20 feet. Several of his murals decorated the walls of Fairview School, as well as the Poland Spring Inn. He also taught art at Fairview School and gave private lessons in his home.

Richard was a member of the Court Street Baptist Church. He received Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age, and looked forward to heaven. His strength was in the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 5:8: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

Survivors include two daughters, Diane Dawe-Benton, and Nancy Dumont and her husband, Roger; two grandchildren, Mary Dumont-Jones, and Darren Dumont and his wife, Cynthia; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Richard was predeceased by his wife, Frances, in 1992.