STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Richard S. “Dick” Adams was born on May 5, 1928, in Auburn, passed away on Dec. 23, 2018, in State College, Pa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mary (Dennison); wife, Marilyn M.; and brother, Roger.

He married Marilyn M.Winter on Dec. 28, 1951, in Minnesota. He graduated with B.S. in animal husbandry from the University of Maine in 1950 and earned his master’s and PhD from the University of Minnesota. In 1954 he moved his family to State College and joined the Penn State University as a dairy specialist in the Cooperative Extension Service. Except for one year of work in Iowa, he served at PSU until his retirement in 1991 and continued as a consultant until 1998.

Through his service at Extension, Dick was noted for his intense work across multiple disciplines and became one of the most respected dairy nutritionists in the world.

After spending his youth working with horses through the family’s Fernald Farm, Dick became a successful harness horse trainer and driver. He raced in the inaugural season at Roosevelt Raceway. He restarted training and racing in 1954 on the local PA fair circuit for several seasons.

Dick was a musician and showman beginning with his high school band, the Varsiteers. In State College, he was a longtime member of the Little German Band, the Dance Band, the Community Band and many church-based brass ensembles. He loved leading the college students through great evenings of song, laughter and dance for the Bavarian Stompers.

Dick was a lifelong member of the Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial Association on Peaks Island. His great-grandfather was in the Civil War regiment that built the lodge and museum. Dick promoted the history of the regiment on guided tours. After Marilyn ended a 20 year tenure as hostess in 1998, Dick became the host of the building with help from his family and others in the association.

Dick was a member of State College’s Pine Hall Lutheran Church, and the Christian Missionary Alliance church. He also enjoyed watching “Gospel Notes,” a gospel music television program.

Dick was predeceased by infant son, David in 1959; and wife, Marilyn in 2003. He is survived by daughter, Denise Conklin and husband, George, son, Stephen, son, Ronald and wife, Sheryl; daughter, Joy Gallant; grandchildren, John and Nathan Conklin, Michael and Jacqueline Borlawsky, Pauline and David Adams, Stephen and Benjamin Adams; and great-granddaughter Emily Conklin.

A celebration of life will be held this spring in State College and on Peaks Island this summer. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com in addition to a full detailed obituary.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial contributions may be made to 

Gospel Notes Outreach Ministry athttps://www.continuetogive.com/4853234/donation_prompt 

or Shriners Hospitals for Children at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org 

or the Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial Association 

℅ Heather Goulden

PO Box 23

Kennebunk, Maine 04043

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