Richard Irvine Nightingale died August 15, 2020, at his home. He was born November 17, 1930 in Hodgdon, Maine, the son of Don A. Nightingale and Phyllis (Irvine) Nightingale.
Growing up in Hodgdon, Dick was able to hunt and fish with his mother, father and uncles to his heart's content. After graduating from Houlton High School, he joined the Navy serving on the USS Wyandot. He was eventually stationed in Naples, Italy where he met his future wife of 56 years, Bianca "Mary" Martelli.
Dick was a keenly intelligent and well-rounded man. He was a serious and learned person who planned meticulously and worked hard for his many accomplishments, as well as was someone who loved to have company, swap stories and news of the day, and share a hearty laugh. Anyone who knew him well recognized a heartfelt loyalty, a conscientious and meticulous nature, and a huge capacity for fun and merry-making. A generous man, he would readily raise a toast, sing an aria, and sit a spell with friends and neighbors. He loved to garden, to cut wood from his own land, and to tend to his small orchard where he one year grew the world's finest peaches.
Dick used his quick wit and facile mind to pursue a career in academia. He got his advanced degrees in Civil Engineering at the University of Maine and the University of Arizona in Tucson, all while also raising a young family. After getting his doctorate, he came back home to teach at the University of Maine for 36 years. Dick loved teaching and he loved his students. The feeling was mutual, as during his tenure as a Professor in the Civil Engineering Department, he was voted Civil Engineering Professor of the Year in 1977, 1981, and 1983. Former students have continued to remain connected to him and have shared how he touched their lives as a teacher and a mentor.
Dick and Mary were avid hockey fans who supported the UMaine Black Bears for nearly forty years, having the good fortune to be front and center for the heyday of Maine hockey and two national championships. They enjoyed traveling to games all over the country and met people who became lifelong friends. Judging by the lasting friendships made, stories recounted, and pictorial evidence of raucous good times and good cheer with good company, it is clear that hockey seasons were very happy seasons for both of them.
Dick lived at Boyd Place in Bangor the last several years of his life. There he found a community and good people for which he, and his family, were very grateful.
Dick is survived by his children, Neil Nightingale of Bucksport, April Nightingale and her partner, Jeff Tardiff of Prospect, Lisa and son-in-law, Daniel Hickey of Norridgewock; and two granddaughters of whom he was inordinately proud, Kayleigh Hickey of Fairfield and Kelsey Hickey of Norridgewock. He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Kitty; and infant son, Don Albert Nightingale.
There will be a celebration of life arranged by Brookings-Smith and held at their family celebration center in Bangor at a future date. Burial will be at the Hodgdon Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Nightingale, please visit our flower store.
Growing up in Hodgdon, Dick was able to hunt and fish with his mother, father and uncles to his heart's content. After graduating from Houlton High School, he joined the Navy serving on the USS Wyandot. He was eventually stationed in Naples, Italy where he met his future wife of 56 years, Bianca "Mary" Martelli.
Dick was a keenly intelligent and well-rounded man. He was a serious and learned person who planned meticulously and worked hard for his many accomplishments, as well as was someone who loved to have company, swap stories and news of the day, and share a hearty laugh. Anyone who knew him well recognized a heartfelt loyalty, a conscientious and meticulous nature, and a huge capacity for fun and merry-making. A generous man, he would readily raise a toast, sing an aria, and sit a spell with friends and neighbors. He loved to garden, to cut wood from his own land, and to tend to his small orchard where he one year grew the world's finest peaches.
Dick used his quick wit and facile mind to pursue a career in academia. He got his advanced degrees in Civil Engineering at the University of Maine and the University of Arizona in Tucson, all while also raising a young family. After getting his doctorate, he came back home to teach at the University of Maine for 36 years. Dick loved teaching and he loved his students. The feeling was mutual, as during his tenure as a Professor in the Civil Engineering Department, he was voted Civil Engineering Professor of the Year in 1977, 1981, and 1983. Former students have continued to remain connected to him and have shared how he touched their lives as a teacher and a mentor.
Dick and Mary were avid hockey fans who supported the UMaine Black Bears for nearly forty years, having the good fortune to be front and center for the heyday of Maine hockey and two national championships. They enjoyed traveling to games all over the country and met people who became lifelong friends. Judging by the lasting friendships made, stories recounted, and pictorial evidence of raucous good times and good cheer with good company, it is clear that hockey seasons were very happy seasons for both of them.
Dick lived at Boyd Place in Bangor the last several years of his life. There he found a community and good people for which he, and his family, were very grateful.
Dick is survived by his children, Neil Nightingale of Bucksport, April Nightingale and her partner, Jeff Tardiff of Prospect, Lisa and son-in-law, Daniel Hickey of Norridgewock; and two granddaughters of whom he was inordinately proud, Kayleigh Hickey of Fairfield and Kelsey Hickey of Norridgewock. He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Kitty; and infant son, Don Albert Nightingale.
There will be a celebration of life arranged by Brookings-Smith and held at their family celebration center in Bangor at a future date. Burial will be at the Hodgdon Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared at BrookingsSmith.com.
Videos
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors