Obituary for Richard B. "Dick" Hamblen
Tremont
Richard B. “Dick” Hamblen, 90, died at Mount Desert Island Hospital after a six month decline in his health. He lived at home until two days before his passing on February 22, 2024. He was born at the family home in Tremont, Maine on March 16th, 1933, the ninth child of Evelyn (Pomeroy Rich) and Charles A. Hamblen.
Dick graduated from Pemetic High School in 1952, having been part of the drama and baseball clubs. He then went to southern Maine technical college in Portland Maine, until he was drafted. Having come from Maine, he became part of the Cold Weather training Command at Fort Collins, Colorado. Having never been on skis in his life, he learned and then taught others how to ski. In the summer he was part of the mountain climbing and repelling group. He left two years later to go home and marry, Joan Doyle from Bar Harbor, daughter of Edward and Madeline (Silk) Doyle. Four years later, they moved to Pepperell, Mass. He worked as a plumber for several big firms, before starting his own business called Classic Kitchens. During this time, he shared a small plane and would fly home every once in a while, and bring home lobsters to the family as his mother was getting older, he asked her to come live with them and their growing family. Eventually, the family moved back to Tremont. He constructed an apartment on the second floor of his mother's house, which included a kitchen and a bathroom. Working with his brother Everett, they built several houses together. The remaining brother and sister's family would often get together for family times.
Joan and Dick were part of a group called the Good Timers who would get together for dancing and good laughs. His daughters all married during this time. His mother continued to live downstairs until her death in 1973. Eventually he worked with his son, Rick doing house construction and plumbing. Joan passed away in1997 and Dick continued to live with his son, Rick.
In 2004, Ruth (Carlson) Davis came into his life, having been widowed about two years earlier. They settled in Ruth's home with her teenage sons, Andrew, and Steven. There were many happy cruises with both families and friends. His daughter, Susan, and son-in-law Reggie would take Dick on extended drives during the summers. Three dogs and numerous cats lived with us through the years accompanying him on his trips to Seawall. The Franklin Trading post was a particularly favorite spot for Ricky and Dicky to go for breakfast. When the last dog died, (Mr. Waddles) in 2022, Dick was without a driving companion. Very good friends then asked if we could take care of and then adopt Lulu, a 13-year-old Papillion. She was beside him on the many days when he would drive down to Seawall and eat at Charlotte's. Eventually, Ruth, Lulu and he would take Sunday afternoon drives around different parts of Maine. Family was Dick's anchor. The last evening, with all of us surrounding his bed, he blew us all a kiss and said “I love you all.”
Dick is survived by Ruth Davis and her sons Andrew Davis and Steven Davis and wife Cara; three daughters, Susan Lizzotte and husband Reggie of Bangor, Laurie Anne Bragdon and husband Merle of Prescott, Arizona and Nicole Strout of Tremont ; granddaughter, Katie Hessert and husband Josh of Glenburn and grandson Nathan Lizzotte; six great grandchildren, Samantha, Madeline, Olivia, Jonathan, Abigail and Nicholas. He had many nieces and nephews, but he was the last of this Hamblen generation. He was also predeceased by his son, Rick.
We are planning a short service and burial in the late Spring, where both Dick and Rick will be buried in the Head of the Harbor Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 437, Southwest Harbor, 04679 or the SPCA of Hancock County, 141 Bar Harbor Rd., Trenton, ME 03605.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Richard B. “Dick” Hamblen, 90, died at Mount Desert Island Hospital after a six month decline in his health. He lived at home until two days before his passing on February 22, 2024. He was born at the family home in Tremont, Maine on March 16th, 1933, the ninth child of Evelyn (Pomeroy Rich) and Charles A. Hamblen.
Dick graduated from Pemetic High School in 1952, having been part of the drama and baseball clubs. He then went to southern Maine technical college in Portland Maine, until he was drafted. Having come from Maine, he became part of the Cold Weather training Command at Fort Collins, Colorado. Having never been on skis in his life, he learned and then taught others how to ski. In the summer he was part of the mountain climbing and repelling group. He left two years later to go home and marry, Joan Doyle from Bar Harbor, daughter of Edward and Madeline (Silk) Doyle. Four years later, they moved to Pepperell, Mass. He worked as a plumber for several big firms, before starting his own business called Classic Kitchens. During this time, he shared a small plane and would fly home every once in a while, and bring home lobsters to the family as his mother was getting older, he asked her to come live with them and their growing family. Eventually, the family moved back to Tremont. He constructed an apartment on the second floor of his mother's house, which included a kitchen and a bathroom. Working with his brother Everett, they built several houses together. The remaining brother and sister's family would often get together for family times.
Joan and Dick were part of a group called the Good Timers who would get together for dancing and good laughs. His daughters all married during this time. His mother continued to live downstairs until her death in 1973. Eventually he worked with his son, Rick doing house construction and plumbing. Joan passed away in1997 and Dick continued to live with his son, Rick.
In 2004, Ruth (Carlson) Davis came into his life, having been widowed about two years earlier. They settled in Ruth's home with her teenage sons, Andrew, and Steven. There were many happy cruises with both families and friends. His daughter, Susan, and son-in-law Reggie would take Dick on extended drives during the summers. Three dogs and numerous cats lived with us through the years accompanying him on his trips to Seawall. The Franklin Trading post was a particularly favorite spot for Ricky and Dicky to go for breakfast. When the last dog died, (Mr. Waddles) in 2022, Dick was without a driving companion. Very good friends then asked if we could take care of and then adopt Lulu, a 13-year-old Papillion. She was beside him on the many days when he would drive down to Seawall and eat at Charlotte's. Eventually, Ruth, Lulu and he would take Sunday afternoon drives around different parts of Maine. Family was Dick's anchor. The last evening, with all of us surrounding his bed, he blew us all a kiss and said “I love you all.”
Dick is survived by Ruth Davis and her sons Andrew Davis and Steven Davis and wife Cara; three daughters, Susan Lizzotte and husband Reggie of Bangor, Laurie Anne Bragdon and husband Merle of Prescott, Arizona and Nicole Strout of Tremont ; granddaughter, Katie Hessert and husband Josh of Glenburn and grandson Nathan Lizzotte; six great grandchildren, Samantha, Madeline, Olivia, Jonathan, Abigail and Nicholas. He had many nieces and nephews, but he was the last of this Hamblen generation. He was also predeceased by his son, Rick.
We are planning a short service and burial in the late Spring, where both Dick and Rick will be buried in the Head of the Harbor Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 437, Southwest Harbor, 04679 or the SPCA of Hancock County, 141 Bar Harbor Rd., Trenton, ME 03605.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com