David Virgil Kimball

RUMFORD – David Virgil Kimball of Rumford Center, died Jan. 23, 2025, at the age of 82. He was the son of Wilder and Grace Kimball.

He graduated from the University of Maine, Orono in 1964 with a B.S. in Engineering Physics. He was an army veteran, with the rank of Specialist 5, serving as a research assistant. He later worked for the Department of Defense as a Research Physicist. He and two colleagues patented a system for early detection of toxins, to protect troops against chemical attacks.

David married Ann Wheatley of Betterton, Md. in 1966. They had three children and returned to the family farm in Rumford Center, making their children the seventh generation there. The couple had been married 56 years. Ann and their son both passed away in 2023. David is survived by his daughters and their families and by his sister. David devoted his life to his family and to his community.

He preached at the Methodist Church in Rumford Center. Each year, he grew an extra crop of potatoes, which he called “God’s potatoes”, to donate to the food pantry. He worked hard for the historical society, the cemetery association, the Village Improvement Society, and the meeting house. He helped run the pulling competitions at the county fair and volunteered in local government. He sold produce at farmers’ markets and was instrumental in founding the River Valley market.

David loved his tight-knit community, and was always eager to help his neighbors. His family wishes to express their thanks to everyone who supported him through hard times.

Friends and family are invited to share memories of David with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 1 p.m. at the Rumford Center Methodist Church, followed by internment at the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s honor to:

Rumford Center Village

Improvement Society

P.O. Box 361

Rumford, ME 04276