1916 – 2012

FARMINGTON — Frederick B. Harnden, 96, of Rangeley, passed away Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Edgewood Residential Care Facility.

He was born June 23, 1916, in Rangeley, the son of Ray A. and Florence E. (Barker) Harnden. He graduated from Rangeley High School in 1934. He entered the University of Maine in Orono, where he majored in mechanical engineering. After graduation in 1939, he attended Harvard Business School.

Upon completion, he accepted a job at Norma Hoffman, a company specializing in the design of ball bearings in Stamford, Conn. There he spent the war years designing bearings, including those used in superchargers for the engines of the B29 bomber.

In 1941, Fred married his childhood sweetheart, Annette Woods, who had spent summers in Rangeley. They had three children and moved back to Rangeley in 1946. He and Annette then owned and operated The Barker Hotel on Mooselookmeguntic Lakeuntil 1966.

He served on the Rangeley Board of Selectmen, was the president of the Rotary Club, served on the board of directors for the Rangeley Trust Co., and was a 32nd degree Mason.

In 1966 Fred closed The Barker and sold the property. That fall he went to work at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery as a technical writer for the operational manuals used on the 688 (Los Angeles) class fast attack submarine.

Fred retired in 1979 and with his wife moved back to Rangeley. Annette, his wife of 67 years, passed away in 2008. Fred remained at home until 2009, when he joined the Edgewood family in Farmington.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Lynn Lewandowski of Rangeley; two sons, Paul Harnden and his wife, Jane, of Amherst, N.H., and Stuart Harnden and his wife, Denise, of Bedford, N.H.; three grandchildren, Richard, Stephen and Stacy; four great-grandchildren, Morgan, Jacob, Sarah and Brooke; his sister, Dorothy; and his nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Annette; a grandson, James Harnden; and his sister, Barbara Riddle.

Those wishing may send condolences for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.

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