SOUTH PARIS – Richard C. “Dick” Wentzell, 70, of Rangeley, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, after a long illness. He had resided at the home, where he received wonderful care, for a little more than four years.

He was born March 27, 1938, in Rangeley, a son of Harry Ross Wentzell and Doris (Nile) Wentzell. He was a 1955 graduate of Rangeley High School and from 1955 until 1958, he served in the U.S. Army.

He married Dorothy Morancie at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley on Nov. 21, 1959. He was employed for more than 40 years at WAMCO, where he attained the position of president of the company. It is now known as Rangeley Mill, Inc.

He was devoted to his family and his beloved hometown of which he was a former member of the town’s historical society. He was a member and past master of Kemankeag Masonic Lodge 213, was a noble of Kora Temple Shrine and was a member and past treasurer of the Rangeley Shrine Club. He was a member and former treasurer of the Church of the Good Shepherd, was a former trustee of the Rangeley Public Library and was a former corporator of Franklin Savings Bank.

He served on several of the town boards. He was a member of the “Shadow Government” at Fitzy’s Donut Shop and was proud of the annual scholarship that this group gave to the local school. He was a member of the building committee for the Rangeley School Board and was instrumental in the building of the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

He was an animal lover, who enjoyed watching the deer and bluebirds in his back yard. He loved his cats and “Woody” his jeep. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed golf, snowmobiling, skiing and fishing. His favorite times were spent with family and vacationing in Florida. In his later years, he helped modernize the offices at M & H Logging and occasionally could be seen hauling a load of gravel for Joe and Scott.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Dorothy of Rangeley; two daughters, Crystal Haley and her husband, David “Joe” and their son, Kyle Haley of Rangeley and Cathy L. Wentzell of Farmington; two nieces, Linda Wentzell and her companion, Larry Washington, of Rock Hill, S.C., and Leslie Coon and her companion, Kevin Smith, of Eustis, Fla.; and one nephew, Arlen Wentzell Jr. and his wife, Lisa, of Kissimmee, Fla.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Russell and Arlen “Wheaze” Wentzell Sr.; and sister-in-law, Jeannette Wentzell Estes.