CAMDEN — Richard Waltz Benner, 93, passed away Jan. 7, 2013, at the VA Medical Center at Togus. Born in Waldoboro July 22, 1919, he was the son of Clarence R. and Gertrude (Waltz) Benner and was a graduate of Waldoboro High School, class of 1936. His dream as a child was to build boats and he went to work at Snow Shipyard in Rockland. On Jan. 2, 1942, he married Isabel Annie Rokes. Richard was drafted in July 1942 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as an aircraft mechanic in the South Pacific.

Following his discharge from military service in 1946, he returned home and continued working at Snow Shipyard before going to work at Penobscot Boat Works in Rockport, where he worked until the business was sold in the 1970s. Richard then went to work at Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding in Thomaston, where he remained until he decided it was time to retire at the age of 90. He enjoyed doing interior specialty woodworking on boats.

In 1953 Richard built a home on Rawson Avenue in Camden and later ran a bicycle repair shop there as a hobby. In the early 1990s he added a workshop, where he did woodworking and built toys.

Mr. Benner was a 48-year member of Amity Masonic Lodge #6 in Rockport. From 1988 through 2009 he served as chaplain; in 1979 he served as Worshipful Master; and served as chairman of the scholarship committee, making presentations at high school graduations for 10 years. He was also a member of the Harbor Light Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, the American Legion and VFW for many years.

Mr. Benner was a people person. He enjoyed visiting with people and telling stories, and playing cribbage and checkers.

He was predeceased by his wife, Isabel (Rokes) Benner, who died Aug. 7, 2006; a brother-in-law, Horace Rokes; and a sister-in-law, Althea (Rokes) Kurry.

Surviving are his three sons, Richard W. Benner and his wife, Pamela, of Owls Head, Gary L. Benner and his wife, Vickie, of Epsom, N.H. and Larry C. Benner and his wife, Debra, of Simpsonville, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Nathan Benner of Rhode Island, Daniel and Abby Benner of New Hampshire, Jeremiah Benner of Ohio, Jacob Benner of Virginia, Elissa Benner of Ohio, and Sam Benner, who is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force; and one great-granddaughter, McKenna J. Benner of Ohio.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Comery Cemetery in Waldoboro and will be announced.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to following groups who helped Mr. Benner: Meals On Wheels c/o Methodist Conference Home, 46 Summer St., Rockland, ME 04841; Camden First Aid Association, P.O. Box 368, Camden, ME 04843; Camden District Nursing Association, 30 Community Drive, Camden, ME 04843; Amity Lodge, c/o Rockport Masonic Center, 261 Main St., Rockport, ME 04856; or VAVS Hospice Unit, Voluntary Services 135, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Benner family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Camden.