AUBURN — Richard Earl Vaughn, 77, of Peru, passed away on Feb. 10, at the Hospice House, having struggled with lung disease and cancer.

He was born in Mexico, July 5, 1933, the son of Archie and Helen (Judkins) Vaughn. The most of his childhood schooling was in South Portland. He entered the U.S. Army in March 1951, working in the motor pool and as a cook. He attended Food & Baker’s School in Germany and received the Army of Occupation and National Defense Service Medals. He was discharged as Sargent in February 1954. He was proud of having been responsible for a 40-foot steel hulled amphibian for the Civil Defense / Oxford County for 1 1/2 years.

Richard was married to the former Hazel Child, in Dixfield on March 3, 1956, and she survives him. They were longtime residents of the Dickvale Road in Peru, and together they raised four children. He worked numerous jobs prior to being employed by Oxford Paper Co. He retired from Boise Cascade after having worked in the mill from 1956 to 1991. He also served on the Peru School Board.

He was ambitious and enjoyed gardening, sharing his bounty with many. His fishing trips to Otter Pond were fondly embedded in his memory and his woodworking productions were done to perfection. He also like to travel, especially to the family homestead in Nova Scotia, Canada, when he was in better health. He was meticulous in how he kept his home and his belongings, being extremely organized and disliking clutter. He took special care of his John Deere tractor and had a collection of memorabilia.

Richard is survived by children, Gary Sr. and friend, Jan, of South Paris, Kathy Hussey and husband, William, of Peru, Robert and wife, Susan Bradford, of West Paris and Richard J. and wife, Sheryl, of Peru; grandchildren include, Gary Vaughn Jr., Amanda Jones, Daniel Vaughn, Timothy Blais, Lisa Gagnon, Erik Vaughn, Kori McManus and Tara Roy; several great-grandchildren; four sisters, Rita Nussbaumer and her husband, John, of Florida, Barbara Priest and her husband, Malcolm, of Mississippi, Nathalie Turner and her husband, Louis, of Skowhegan and Annie Carrier and her husband, Arthur, of Dixfield; brothers, Bernard Frost and his wife, Rheanne, of Peru and Clavis Frost Jr. and his wife, Luana, of Florida; in-laws, Avis Orino, Anna and Harold Hebert, Robert Child, Howard and Carrie Child, Addie Child and Janet Child; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was predeceased by a brother, Laforrest (Buddy) Vaughn and his wife, Louise; his mother, Helen Frost and her husband, Clavis; his father, Archie Vaughn and his wife, Ada; and his wife’s siblings, Ernest, Lawrence, Clarion and Everett Child.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, especially Dr. Austin, Maureen and Diana, and to Nikki Hosie RN and Wendy Youmen for the wonderful care given to Richard and the support provided to the family.

Those desiring, may offer condolences and pay tribute to Richard by email: khussey@roadrunner.com.