1925 – 2016

AUBURN — Richard L. Achorn, 90, of Auburn, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Hospice House in Auburn with his family at his side.

He was born in Rockland on March 10, 1925, a son of the late George and Helen (Smalley) Bean. He grew up in the Rockland area and attended local schools there. He was a graduate of Rockland High School, Class of 1943. After high school, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Navy V-12 programs through Bowdoin and Bates colleges. He also served in the Pacific during World War II.

After proudly serving his country, he returned home to Maine. On May 7, 1950, he married Elizabeth Huff in Augusta and they started a family together. During that time, Richard worked for more than 36 years as a telegrapher and supervisor of agencies for the Maine Central Railroad until his retirement in 1984.

Richard was a very active man. He was a member of the Aurora Lodge No. 50 AF & AM, as well as a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Rockland and a 32nd degree mason of the Maine Consistory Valley of Portland. He served on the Auburn School Committee in the late 1960s for six years and was president for two years. He was president of the Maine State School Board for two years and he helped to establish the Maine School Management Association. He also enjoyed his time in the Rotary Club.

He enjoyed reading and tracking genealogy. He was also very fond of traveling with his wife, Betty. They had a motor home and they traveled all around the country with it making many stops. One of their favorites was Myrtle Beach, S.C. They had also visited England, Germany and Canada.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Achorn of Auburn; his children, Anne Pietroski and her husband, Donald, of Thomaston, Edward Achorn and his wife, Mary Lou, of Minot, and Mary Ellen Harvey and her husband, Michael, of Muncie, Ind. He also leaves behind his four grandchildren, Matthew Pietroski, Kara Pietroski and her husband, Jake Hall, Melissa Selby and her husband, Jabin, and Kristen Harvey and her husband, Mike Echalk; as well as two great-grandchildren, Kaleb Pietroski and Elliana Selby.

He was predeceased by his two siblings, Elaine and Robert Achorn. The family wishes to thank Clover Manor and the Hospice House in Auburn for their compassionate care.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.