ROCKPORT — Richard L. "Dick" Ripley Sr., 75, passed away Feb. 3, 2016, peacefully in his sleep, at his winter home in Zephyrhills, Fla., with his wife, Becki, by his side.

Born in Washington on March 4, 1940, to parents Harland Ripley and Verna Knowlton Ripley, he was the oldest of four sons.

Dick attended Burkettville and Liberty schools. Following school, Dick began working at an early age for Harold Kaler delivering appliances, and then at Maplewood Poultry Plant as a truck driver for 13 years until the plant closed. Dick worked for Marriner's Asphalt and Paving, where he was a tractor trailer truck driver and mechanic for 41 years. He would often be seen on the highway transporting pavers, rollers, backhoes and other heavy equipment on his lowbed throughout the state of Maine. Over the years, he drove the Marriner tractor trailer trucks in parades and also transported the cars in the 1995 Camden Soap Box Derby. After retirement, Dick continued to work for friends and family at Route 17 Auto Sales, Camden Irving and for his nephew, Darren, at Maine-ly Concrete.

Dick took pride in his jobs and had such a strong work ethic, and will be remembered for the many friendships he made throughout his life.

In 1961, Dick began his lifelong passion to race at Unity Raceway. He raced car number P38 to victory lane at this time. Dick joined his brother, Doug, in 1969 and together they proved to be a dynamic duo, with Doug as the driver and Dick as the mechanic. Over the years, Dick became well known for building stock cars and built many for his family and friends. He had "hands of gold" and friends often would seek out his racing knowledge. Always willing to lend a hand, he was respected by all who knew him. Dick developed a close bond with his nephew, Darren, and enjoyed many years being his chief mechanic and mentor, which helped to fuel the successful Ripley Legacy at Wiscasset and Unity Raceways.

Dick lived his life as the most generous, loyal and caring husband, brother, father, stepfather, grandfather and uncle. He valued his many friends to whom he loved to joke with, using his witty sense of humor. He loved country and gospel music, dancing, NASCAR, hunting, gardening, and watching horse and steer pulls along with horse racing at the local fairs. Dick had an eye for detail and was a true perfectionist, building his own street rods that he would show at local car meets. He also owned several classic cars over the years.

Dick married his loving and devoted wife, Becki, on Dec. 30, 1971 and they were inseparable for 44 years. Dick and Becki made a wonderful life in Rockport, working together to raise their family. Throughout their lives, they vacationed in Florida, enjoying the sunny weather and the company of many friends.

Dick had a special relationship with his grandsons, Ethan and Ben Pratt. He was a wonderful role model and taught them so many valuable skills.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Harland and Verna Knowlton Ripley; a brother, Eugene Ripley; a daughter, Cindy Ripley; an infant daughter; and a stepdaughter, Lynette Ludwig.

He is survived by his wife, Becki Ripley of Rockport; his brothers, Doug Ripley and his wife, Lorice, of Thomaston, and Dennis Ripley and his wife, Adele, of Washington; a sister-in-law, Jenny Ripley of Olympia, Wash.; his children, Valerie Wood and her husband, Michael, of Nokomis, Fla., Richard Ripley Jr. and his wife, Loretta, of Waldoboro, Elizabeth Roscoe and her husband, David, of Rockland, and Dixie Wallace and her husband, Mark, of Rockport; his stepchildren, Melanie Ludwig of Gorham, Deborah Powell of Pinehurst, N.C., and Dale Ludwig of Naples, Fla.; his grandchildren, David, Sheena, Kristy, Terri Jean, Wayne, Monica, Amanda, Rachel, Zachary, Devon, Ethan, Ben, Frankie, Marlo, Athena, Marina, Amelia, Nicco, Rachel and Grace; 11 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. The family would also like to mention close friendships with Brian Jackson, Earl Reynolds and Scott Delano.

Dick will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held in April.

Hall's of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.