SOUTH PARIS – H. Richard “Dick” Bean, M.D., 88, died peacefully Tuesday, March 24, at Market Square Health Care Center, after a long, chronic illness.

He was born Jan. 22, 1921, in Myersdale, Pa., to parents, Harold A. and Esther C. Bean. His childhood years were spent in Washington, D.C., attending schools through high school in the District of Columbia. He then attended American University, graduating in 1942 with a degree in zoology. After that he attended the George Washington University School of Medicine in an accelerated program during World War II, graduating as a doctor of medicine in 1945. Internship was at Garfield Memorial Hospital in D.C.

During his years of medical school, internship and for two years following that, he served in the U.S. Army as a medical officer/flight surgeon, including a tour in the Philippine Islands shortly after the war ended.

Upon release from active duty as a captain in the Army, he moved to Whitefield, N.H., and established a private practice in family medicine, remaining there until 1957, when he and his family moved to Oxford Hills to establish a family practice in affiliation with Stephens Memorial Hospital as one of the earliest members of the new hospital’s medical staff. He delivered almost 2,000 Oxford Hills residents. He practiced until retirement in 1994, at 75 years of age. He had also been a state medical examiner for nearly 50 years.

On Nov. 14, 1943, he was married to Lelia “Lee” Bean and together over nearly 66 years, they raised a family of five children, of whom they were most proud. His greatest joys were spent with family, as well as caring for his many thousands of patients. His lifelong loves were spending time in the outdoors, hunting and fishing, something he particularly enjoyed doing with friends and family. He also was a true sports enthusiast and was particularly a devoted Red Sox fan.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Norway/South Paris for more than 40 years, until his health no longer allowed. He was known as “the sausage man” at the annual Kiwanis pancake breakfast. He was also a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Shriners and a long-standing member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Lee; sisters, Mary of Phoenix, Ariz., and Anna of Pittsfield, Mass.; his children, Robert R. Bean, M.D., and his wife, Jill, of Norway, Patricia Smith and her husband, Brian, of Brunswick, Susan Winslow of Portland, Alan C. Bean, M.D., and his wife, Kim, of Harrison and Thomas L. Bean and his wife, Wendy, of Manchester; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.