1947 – 2003

LEWISTON – Richard A. Thorndike, 56, of Auburn, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Born in Farmington, July 19, 1947, the son of Thornton and Sadie (Campbell) Thorndike, they lived in Temple and Phillips.

He graduated from Phillips High School in 1965, then entered the U.S. Army. In September of 1977 he married Alice Heath at Center Hill in Weld.

A few of the many accomplishments “Rick” achieved during his 27-year career in the Army included helping P.O.W.’s as they came back from Vietnam, as a neuro psychiatric specialist and recruiting in 13 states. He retired in 1994 as a master sergeant and then bought Artiste Trophy in Brunswick, which he owned and operated until the time of his death.

He was an active member of the East Auburn Baptist Church, shown by his involvement as the captain of the Boys Brigade of the church. He loved his family deeply, also his customers at the shop in Brunswick and he cared greatly for his horses and other pets, especially his bees.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years; four daughters, Rea Anne and her husband, Dan Coburn of Camp Lejeune, N.C., Amy Thorndike of Manchester, N.H., Ronnie and her husband, Warren Hutchinson of Carthage and Rachelle Thorndike of Auburn; a son, Aaron Thorndike of Old Town; seven grandchildren, Britney, Nathan, Lilly, Jesse, Ashley, Carleen and Phillip; five sisters, Shirley Gordon of Phillips, Mary Anne of N. Jay, Martha McDonald of Livermore, Christine Mitchell of Phillips and Penny Morrell of Livermore Falls; three brothers, Victor Thorndike of Farmington, Robert Thorndike of Phillips, James Thorndike of Minn.; and many extended family members.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a sister, Gladys Comstock.

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