OTISFIELD – A scholarship in memory of longtime educator Reginald L. Dews has been established to benefit Oxford Hills students pursuing a career in education.

Described by many that knew him as a “man who put kids first,” Dews devoted his life to teaching, education and the pursuit of learning. He died Jan. 19 while vacationing in Florida with his wife of 52 years.

The Oxford Hills Scholarship Committee will determine the recipient, who this year will receive $250.

Born in 1927 in East Madison, Dews served in the Navy Air Corps during World War II, graduated in 1947 from Dexter High School and a year later from Higgins Classical Institute. He received his bachelor’s degree from Gorham Teacher’s College in 1956. His first job in education was as elementary school principal in Owls Head. From there, he served as elementary principal and teacher in Newport.

In 1961, he earned his master’s in education degree from the University of Maine. By that time, the Dews were raising five children. Today, Elizabeth lives in Ferrisburg, Vt., Charles in West Cumberland, Barbara in Los Angeles, Edwin in East Dummerston, Vt., and Shelly in Wellesley, Mass.

From 1961 to 1984, he worked in the SAD 51 system in Cumberland-North Yarmouth, serving as curriculum coordinator, elementary supervisor and assistant principal. He retired as principal of the North Yarmouth Memorial School.

After retirement, Dews and his wife, Denny, built a house in Otisfield on the shores of Thompson Lake, which he discovered when he got lost on a snowmobile trip.

He immediately immersed himself in the community.

“He brought his lifelong passion for education with him,” Denny recalled.

“He merely transferred it from the classroom to the board room.”

He served on the SAD 17 board, the Region 11 vocational board, the Otisfield Education Study Committee and the Otisfield Community School Building Committee. He also served on the building committee of the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and the district’s Finance Committee.

“If anyone suggested a project, he was the first one to jump in,” said Walter Lang, one of his best friends who served with him on the school board. “I never saw Reggie say no.”

Maureen Howard served with Dews on the building committee for the Otisfield School and recalls his knowledgeable leadership and dedication to the project.

“He was such a wonderful man and there were so many things I appreciated about him,” she said. “I was always amazed that this man who had retired to a lovely home on the lake was willing to give so much of his time to his community.”

Dews was elected to the school board in 1986 and served until 1992. He was vice chairman in 1987 and chairman from 1989-91. He also served on the vocational board from 1993 to 2000.

His passions included fishing, hunting, golfing and snowmobiling. He was an active member of the Maine Snowmobile Association and his local club.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Maggie Craig at SAD 17, 1570 Main St, Oxford, ME 04270.