Richard Broadbent, 83, of Lebanon ME, passed away unexpectantly due to natural causes at home on April 13.
Richard was born on March 12, 1940 in Lawrence MA to Joseph and Olga Broadbent. After moving to Rochester, NH, Richard graduated from Spaulding High School in 1958. After graduation, Richard went to the Wentworth Institute in Boston for machine trade. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Germany from 1961-1964. He worked as a Nuclear Power Inspector, Planning and Estimating, and Progressman at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from 1965 to 1984. In 1984, Richard started working at Sanford High School as a machine shop teacher. During this time, Richard started equine photography and it eventually grew into 2 studios specializing in wedding and portrait photography. His Windswept Acres Photography business continued until 2008. Richard continued his photography passion at Harvard University where he was able to photograph scientific artifacts. He retired and focused on his hobby of beekeeping.
Richard met his wife, Carole Ferm from Berwick, ME, in 1967 and they got married on June 23, 1968. They were the parents of 3 amazing children. Craig and his wife Bethany and children Lauren and Sydney of Windham, ME. Victoria and her husband Peter and son Matthew Ingersoll of Lebanon, ME. Leslie and her significant other JD Fecteau and his sons Tanner and Tyler of Berwick, ME. He leaves his sister-in-law Carol Broadbent, brother-in-law Robert Ferm and wife Donna of Ft. Myers, FL, also nieces and nephews, Lindsey Ferm Vickery, Allison Bruce, Erik Ferm and Chris Broadbent. He leaves behind many close Canadian and Swedish cousins.
Richard was predeceased by his parents and his brother Robert Broadbent. He was also predeceased by his in-laws Thure and Arline Ferm.
Richard’s priority was always to his family first. He loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports. This included football, baseball, horseshows, soccer and hockey games. For hobbies, he enjoyed his bees, fishing, fly-tying, and watching all the Boston sports teams. He absolutely loved to travel especially transatlantic destinations. He loved gardening, bird watching, working in the woods, and walking around his property. He had a great love for chocolate labs, especially his current dog Cassie.
Richard will always be remembered by his friends and family as having a strong work ethic, someone who is passionate about traveling and learning and forever grateful for his family.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10am – 12pm at the Bibber Memorial Chapel-Berwick, 62 Cemetery Road, Berwick, ME. A Graveside service will follow immediately at Evergreen Cemetery in Berwick.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Berwick Library and the Berwick Methodist Church.