ROCKLAND - Richard E. Lindahl, Sr., 81, died October 22, 2018, after years of declining health. He was a resident of the Knox Center for the past year.

Born in Rockland December 21, 1936, he was the son of Myrtie and John Lindahl. He was the seventh of eleven children.

Following his education, he served proudly in the Marine Corps. He later was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club in Rockland.

He was a commercial fisherman for all of his working life, and worked on boats from Forty Fathoms in Rockland to scallop draggers. While aboard the scallop dragger Snoopy, fishing off the North Carolina Outer Banks in 1965, he was one of four survivors of a 12 man crew when the boat netted a “live” torpedo in an area known as torpedo alley. This area was a region where Nazi U-boats sank scores of allied vessels during World War II.

For many years he was captain of the sardine hauler Jacob Pike out of Rockland, first for Port Clyde Canning Company, later owned by Connors Brothers of New Brunswick. Although he eventually used all the electronic aids developed for navigation, he also was trained in and an advocate of knowing how to use a chart and compass. He retired shortly after Port Clyde closed in 1997.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Judy, of Camden; son Richard Jr and his wife Kirsten of Auburn; daughter Susan Malcolm and her husband Chris and son Eben of Portland; son Matthew and his wife Kerin and children Mitchell and Natalie of West Rockport; sister Maggie Hallgren of Florida; sister Nancy Leonard of Searsmont; brother David and his wife Denise of Northport and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters Ethel and Patricia; and brothers John, Donald, Henry, George and James.

Friends are welcome to visit in an informal family gathering at Penobscot Village, 110 Mechanic Street in Camden, on November 4th anytime from 1-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made in Richard’s name to the Patient Activity Fund at the Knox Center for Long Term Care, 22 White St., Rockland ME 04841. The family wishes to express extreme gratitude for the excellent care the dedicated staff at the Knox Center provided for the last year.