ROCKPORT — A man of many talents, a legendary can-do spirit, and a life well lived, Richard (Dick) F. Eichacker passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023 from complications of Parkinsons. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on December 22, 1931, a birthdate he shared with his loving wife, Sue, two years younger. He was the only child of the late Harold and Viola (Veazie) Eichacker formerly of Wethersfield, Connecticut.

Dick graduated from Wethersfield High School, and attended Northeastern University where he met his bride to be, Sue, at a college mixer. He went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge he completed his Aeronautical Engineering Degree at Boston University. There he was recruited by Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT in 1960, where he worked for more than 30 years.

Dick and Sue were married in 1955 and eventually settled in Vernon raising their two children, Cindy and Steve. After 32 years they retired to their dream home in Rockport, Maine overlooking Penobscot Bay and not far from their special family cottage and rental property in Tenants Harbor, Maine.

Dick and Sue were both very active volunteering in their community. Dick volunteered at the Marshall Point Lighthouse where he was on the Board of Directors, served as Treasurer, worked in the gift shop, and helped with many maintenance projects over 25 years. He was a dedicated and active member at Rockland Congregational Church serving as Treasurer. In the Fall, one of Dick’s favorite volunteering activities was working at Habitat for Humanity where he led volunteers building over 20 houses in the greater Rockland area.

In the Winter months, he also volunteered as a tax advisor for AARP Income Tax Assistance helping people prepare their tax returns as well as at Window Dressers making insulated window inserts. When the Summer months came along, his favorite happy place was the family cottage where family gathered for steamers and lobster bakes, cards and games, and of course, presiding over happy hour on the porch in his rocking chair.

He spent countless hours working the Tenants Harbor property and welcoming the many special family and friends over the years. Along with Sue, Dick was a Ham Radio Operator (WB1ATK) communicating with people all over the world. Dick and Sue enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed their annual trips to Bermuda for nearly 30 years along with their lifetime friends from Vernon, Connecticut and Kennebunk, Maine. They took many cruises throughout the Caribbean and enjoyed the British Isles and were members in a local hiking club.

Dick was predeceased by his wife, Sue, of 55 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Dreher (Larry) of Topsham, Maine and their children, Jeff Dreher (Megan), Alison Dreher (Jeremy) and Stephen Dreher (Kayla) and their families all of Maine; his son, Steve Eichacker (Darlene) of Tolland, Connecticut and their children Rachael Eichacker and Nate Eichacker (Aliya) of Connecticut.

He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Cara, Colin, Gage, Liam and Jocelyn.

Family and friends are invited to visit Monday, December 11, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home located at 110 Limerock St., Rockland, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Marshall Point Lighthouse, P.O. Box 247, Port Clyde, ME 04855 or to a charity of your choice.

To share a memory or condolence with the Eichacker family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.