Since 1803, the Ricker family (Donald B.) has been growing apples on more on 850 acres of land in Hartford and now in Turner, ME. The Ricker Hill Orchards have been worked by members of 10 generations of Rickers. Owned by his son, Harry ’83, Don still helps out by driving the trucks and forklifts as needed. Ricker Hill Orchards has apples, berries, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. About 10 years ago, they added some event venues and a wedding barn with lodging and a campground in a successful diversification effort. It is one of the largest farms in Maine.
Rosalie Chase Ober ’80G passed away on December 16, 2023. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UMaine and her post-master’s certificate of advanced study in education from Harvard. She taught in several schools in Maine, spending many years in the Brunswick school system. She is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grands. (Hubby, David, passed in 2016.)
Robert “Bob” G. Carmichael passed away on January 14, 2024. Bob graduated from Morse High in Bath and majored in education at UMaine. He also was a member of the ROTC and served his country for over 20 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Bob began his coaching career at Stearns High and in 1961 moved to Bucksport. He coached football, baseball, and track over the next 17 years, winning several championships. Bob became the athletic director for Bucksport in 1978 and held that position until he retired in 1994. He was voted Maine’s Athletic Director of the Year in 1992. The Bucksport High football field was named after him, and he was inducted into the Bucksport High School Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, five children, 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.