LEWISTON – Richard (Dick) Blanchard, 89, of Robinson Gardens, Lewiston, died Sept. 3, at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, after a long illness.

He was born in Lewiston, March 15, 1919, son of Willis K. and Grace T. Blanchard. He was educated in Lewiston and Auburn elementary schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1937. He graduated from Bates College in 1942, with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry.

His working career started in 1942 as a chemist in the research laboratory of Bates Mill. In 1956, he went to Brown Co. in Berlin, N.H., where he worked as a chemist in the paper laboratory for four years. In 1960, he returned to Maine to work in the research and development laboratory of Oxford Press Co. for 13 years. In 1973, he became head chemist and administrative assistant at the newly created Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority. Dick was happy to return to Lewiston and worked 10 years at the authority until his retirement in March 1984, on his 65th birthday.

He was a former member of the American Chemical Society, the American Pulp and Paper Institute, a 50-year member of Ashlar Lodge 105, A.F. & A.M. and a member of Calvary Methodist Church. On June 30, 1945, he was married in the Bates College Chapel to Shirley L. Raymond of Portland. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tying fishing flies and reading. He especially enjoyed teaching his son about duck hunting.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years; one son, Gary and his wife, Sheryl, of Okemos, Mich.; two treasured grandchildren, Donna Lee and Evan Thomas Blanchard; and a niece, Sandra Lewis of Auburn.

He was predeceased by his brother, Franklin, in 2006.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff of St. Mary’s and d’Youville Pavilion for their compassion and excellence in care provided to Richard.