Auburn – Richard Leslie Snowe, 80, of Taylor Pond in Auburn, died peacefully at home on Thursday evening ,Nov. 29.

He was born on April 5, 1927, the son of Hazel (Trafton) and Guy Snowe. Raised in Auburn, he graduated from Edward Little High School in 1945. He joined the U.S. Navy after graduation, and helped stabilize the postwar territories.

In 1949, he married Helen Joan Wessenger of Lewiston. Together they remained in Auburn to pursue his career and raise a family. In 1957, he started the Maine Shawnee Step Co. with his brothers, Carlie and John. He spent the next 30 years building the company until his retirement in 1987. His retirement years were spent with his wife, Helen, living on the west shore of Taylor Pond.

His roots grew deep into the shore of the pond and his wish was to take his final breaths there. God has blessed him with the granting of that wish. “Dick” was a highly principled man, a man of quiet humility and generous manner. Calm in the face of all diversity, he was the rock we could rely upon to help point us in the right direction. He was patient beyond all measure, choosing quiet observation to guide his decisions and choices rather than forcing them. He remains an inspiring example of what the word ‘gentleman’ truly means. God has blessed our family with him. He will be so very missed by those who know him and love him!

He is survived by two sons, Robert L. Snowe of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Thomas R. Snowe and his wife, Pamela, of Auburn; two granddaughters, Alexandra Snowe and Caroline Snowe; two brothers, G. Carlton Snowe and his wife, Barbara, of Auburn, John W. Snowe and his wife, Beth, of Cundy’s Harbor; two angels on Earth, Lillian and Cappy Coombs of Auburn; more cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his wife, Helen; and a brother, Kenneth Snowe.

Our family wishes to sincerely thank all those beautiful people at Androscoggin Home Hospice and Helping Hands Inc. who gave such loving care to Dick and support to us! God bless you all!