AUBURN – Walter Field Sargent, 94, died Saturday evening, July 16, at his life-long home on the North River Road, following several years of increasing disabilities brought on by vascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Despite two leg amputations and limited use of arms and hands, he had remained active through use of a powered wheelchair and word processor until a few weeks ago in pursuit of his passion for writing poetry, music and lyrics, essays and journals. He has been an ardent advocate for peace and equality since the early 1900s.

He was born in Auburn, on Jan. 11, 1911, the son of Frederick and Hattie (Field) Sargent.

A graduate of Edward Little High School, he attended the University of Maine, but returned to the family farm because of his father’s health problems.

He was married to Lona Ray Sargent. They were together for nearly 59 years at the time of her death in 1993.

His life and spiritual ideals were shaped by the farming years and his love of nature. He also worked in Auburn shoe shops, and for many years he was well-known as a custodian at the Auburn City Building on Spring Street.

He was active in Auburn Grange No. 4 and he served in many capacities at the High Street Methodist Church, which became the United Methodist Church of Auburn on Park Avenue. He was a choir member and served on numerous committees. He was honored with a lifetime membership in his church several years ago.

Through the years, many of his works of music and poetry were used in the church services and other special events. He played the violin from his youth and even undertook lessons at the age of 77.

His extensive body of work began when he authored his high school class ode. He shared his talents through many readings and as a member of the Maine Poetry Fellowship, now the Maine Poets Society.

His poems are included in several anthologies and he published three books of poetry. A fourth book completed just recently is in early stages of publication, and he has written a play with music which was inspired by his experience and admiration for contributions personal care assistants make in the lives of invalids. A recording of that play as “reader’s theater” is being considered.

He loved sailing on coastal waters and on the Androscoggin River, which flows past the family farm. He built several boats, mostly with hand tools and using material from his own woodlot. These crafts included a sailing skiff, an unusual Dutch-style leeboard sailboat and a large diesel-powered stern paddle wheel boat. He delighted in taking family and friends on Androscoggin River cruises.

He is survived by two sons, James, who has been his primary caregiver in recent years, and David as well as a daughter-in-law, Mrs. David (Judith) Sargent, all of Auburn.

He has three grandchildren, Thomas Sargent, who is the son of James and Evelyn Sargent, a resident of Bar Harbor, and David’s daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Laurie) Guay of Jay, and Mrs. Rick (Susan) Robichaud, of Auburn; as well as five great-grandchildren, Mrs. Joseph (Jennifer Caron) Blakey of Ohio, Michael Caron and his wife, Emily, of Auburn, Heather and Taylor Guay of Jay, and Joshua Walter Robichaud of Auburn. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Edith, who died in 1992 and was a well-known feature writer for the Lewiston Evening Journal for many years.

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