SOUTH PARIS – Richard C. Hiltz, 67, of Turner, died early Thursday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2019, at the Maine Veterans Home, in South Paris.

He was born on, June 9, 1951, in Livermore, a son of Wilton Richard and Rena (Castino) Hiltz and attended local schools.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he enlisted in 1968, proudly serving his country, in Vietnam.

On, Nov. 10, 1975, he married, Carolyn Austin, in Turner.

They made their home in Turner as he worked in maintenance in local manufacturing facilities including Gates Formed Fiber, Maine Poly, Purestat Technologies and Mountain Machine.

Richard enjoyed working around the house, his Kubota and golf, but his pride and joy was his family. He had many amazing accomplishments and passions in his life. He was a skilled mechanic that would be willing to discuss his trade with anyone who listened. He used his hands and his brilliant mind to help so many when called upon or when he noticed they needed help. He was a person that would give the shirt off from his back to help others, always with a smile. He and his wife, Carolyn, built their home together from an old farmhouse to the building it is today. The magnitude of the work that he put into his home cannot be stated in writing, as it is too great. He raised his family in this home and was happiest sitting around the dining table for get-togethers and holidays, making jokes and harassing his grandchildren.

He and the love of his life, Carolyn were married for 43 years. When he looked at his wife you could see the love he had for her, it was as if they were falling more and more in love as time went on. They, just like any marriage, had trials and tribulations but their love for each other would and will last a lifetime.

One of his greatest accomplishments and sources of pride was adopting two children that were in need of a family. He raised them to be respectful, intelligent, and dignified men that also help others. He helped give them tools to become great fathers themselves. He welcomed into his home his granddaughter, Aisha, and helped raise her as well. He was very prideful of all of his children and grandchildren. If you saw him, he always had a story about them.

He made several lasting friendships in his life. He always enjoyed going out to dinners and telling stories with these friends. He enjoyed golfing and giving golfing instruction, even though he was not that great at it. One of the reasons his friends and family loved him so much was his sense of humor. He always had a joke to tell or a prank to play.

Richard leaves behind a legacy of being a great human being. He served his country, children and grandchildren well. He was a powerful example of what hard work and determination can do for a person.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of Turner; children, Jeremy Hiltz and his wife, Brandy, of Leeds, Michael Hiltz and his wife, Johanna, of Portland; grandchildren, Aisha, Tiger, Julia, Owen and Michael; special niece, Susan Forgues and husband, Chris, of Lewiston.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held, 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn. Arrangements are in the care of the Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris.  Condolences and tributes may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Gifts may be made in his memory to Turner Rescue or Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice.