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Hampden - Richard D. Jenkins, 85, died peacefully Monday, February 16, 2016, at his home. He was born January 17, 1931, in Portland, the son of Lawrence Dean and Grace (Frances) Jenkins. Dick grew up in Portland. After graduating from Portland High School, he attended Gorham State Teachers College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He taught school briefly in Portland before going to work for the Traveler's Insurance Co. as a Field Manager. He was promoted to the Bangor office and was successful in developing the business there. He settled his family in Hampden where his boys started school. When he was due to be transferred back to the Portland office, he decided to stay here and go back to teaching when a fourth grade teaching position became available. While teaching, he also coached JV girls basketball, freshman football, junior high girls softball, and was involved with Little League baseball. Dick also started a part time tree removal business which he was able to continue after retirement. He very much enjoyed his years of teaching and coaching. His greatest pride and joy were his sons. His favorite thing was watching them participate in sports, and second to that might have been his daily cribbage games with his wife, Merle (at least when he won!). Dick also had the pleasure of watching his grandchildren in their various activities and sporting events. He liked to fish and hunt and particularly liked watching boxing matches and football games on TV, as well as listening to classical music. One of his favorite things to do was climb Mt. Katahdin. He also enjoyed participating in canoe races in earlier years. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, nieces and nephews for his endless supply of stories. Some of the stories got even better the second or third time around. He served many years on the Hampden Town Council. He was chairman of the council when they decided to make the chairman a mayoral position, making him Hampden's first mayor. In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by 2 brothers, his twin, David, and Phil; and 2 sisters, Judy and Nancy. He is survived by Merle (Howard), his wife of 58 years; son Tom and wife Jo-Linda and 4 children, Josh and wife Dawn and son Aiden; daughter Emily and husband Rick and children Isaiah, Lydiah and Natalie; son Michael, and daughter Abigail; son Adam and wife Jeannie and 3 daughters, Chelsea and husband Chris; Caitlin and Sophie; son Peter and wife Nona and children Lyndsey and Blake; and son Larry and wife Kirsten and children Colby, Hannah and Joseph; and many well-loved nieces and nephews.