Richard Edward Barringer

Richard Edward Barringer, cabinet member for three Maine governors and public policy educator, died on October 20, 2025. Richard passed away peacefully in his home near Portland’s waterfront with his much-loved wife by his side and after a weekend with his cherished sons. He was a passionate champion for Maine’s environment and the well-being of its citizens over a more than a 60- year career of public service.

Richard was on born on November 21, 1937, in Boston and raised in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was the fourth of six children residing in a three-decker with their parents, grandfather, and aunt. Encouraged by a remarkable nun, Richard attended Boston Latin for secondary school, then Harvard College. He said the three miles he traveled from Charlestown to Cambridge was the longest distance he ever traversed. His commute to college included a stop each day at the Charles Street Jail where his father was captain of the guards.

Upon graduation, Richard joined the Coast Guard, serving as a lieutenant on active and reserve duty from 1959 to 1967. He received a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He taught at the Kennedy School of Government, directed the Massachusetts Bicentennial Commission, and authored A Maine Manifest (1972), an analysis of Maine’s changing natural resource-based economy. He moved to Maine in 1973 to become the first director of the Bureau of Public Lands for Governor Kenneth Curtis, where he and colleagues reclaimed 600,000 acres from paper companies and established public reserved lands such as Round Pond, the Bigelow Preserve, and Cutler Coast. He was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Conservation in 1975 by Governor James Longley and continued in that role for Governor Joseph Brennan until he became his State Planning Director from 1981 to 1986.

After his government service, Richard joined the University of Southern Maine as a research professor and graduate teacher in public policy, becoming the founding director of the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service. During his tenure, Dick published Toward a Sustainable Maine (1993) and Changing Maine (2004). In a field of five, he competed in the Democratic primary for governor in 1994, coming in third behind Joseph Brennan and Thomas Allen.

Richard continued his public service assisting Governor John Baldacci to enact legislation promoting Maine’s quality of place. Upon retirement, he joined with other stewards of the outdoors to establish the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation in 2011, for which he shepherded the creation and publication of two guides, Allagash Explorer (2020) and This Extraordinary Place (2025). He consulted on the New England Clean Energy Connect project from 2019 to 2022. In 2019, he began with architects and city officials to envision a new public park along the Portland waterfront at the bottom of India Street. Richard loved the idea of public access to an urban seaside for regular Maine people. Because of his devotion to this project, along with that of many colleagues, construction of Portland Harbor Commons will begin soon. Richard would remind all that this is just phase one of the park and urge steadfastness in achieving the rest of the vision.

Even more than he loved Maine waters and woods, Richard adored Maine people, colleagues, friends, and family (though most of these remained from away in Massachusetts). His drive to protect the Maine landscape, keep our environment clean, promote sustainable energy, and develop a diverse economy supportive of all, was based in his belief in community. All the blessings of his life, he said, were built on people who helped him along the way and on collaborations that produced good works. He marveled at the mentors who supported and advanced what interested him; he took great joy in offering his guidance to others. He loved what he and others built together for the betterment of every species of Mainer.

In his endeavors, Richard developed collegial relationships that turned into deep friendships. In particular, the associates of his state government years became friends for life. In his last days, he composed a letter to them noting the good times, good works, and great stories you all shared; his affection for you was deep. He composed a second note for his more recent colleagues who shared with him the Portland Harbor Commons hope. He wanted you to know how admiring he was of your achievement and how much joy he felt in being part of your team.

In the end, as in the beginning, Richard Barringer’s north star was family. His parents, Walter Barringer and Helen Silva Barringer, fostered a life he loved; he was forever grateful to them. For his siblings, those gone—brothers Walter, Bob, and Paul Barringer—and those still here—sisters Helen Tanner and Rita Finn—his gratitude knew no bounds. He loved their wives and husbands—Joan, Kathy, Jean, Phil, and John—for all they brought to the family. Their children and grandchildren delighted this uncle. He treasured his wife’s brother, Richard Freeman, and his husband, Sean Meehan, for their generous spirits.

Richard and his first wife, Sandy, had four boys. His sons were bright stars in Richard’s universe. Greg, Ian, Adam, and Sam enlarged and energized his heart every day of their lives with him. Their partners and children— Ian’s wife Kelly and children Leo (his mother Jessica Adams) and Angus; Adam’s partner Kim Lewis, son Noah, and son James and daughter Sarah (their mother Laura Neuwirth); and Sam’s wife Pam, daughter Danica, and son Cole—filled him with happiness. He considered dear young friends Chris and Gretchen Morin and their daughter Reilly part of the clan.

Richard and his wife, Martha Freeman, built a life and home together for 43 years. They shared a love of family, Maine, public service, a community of people, and each other that will endure in Martha’s heart. Richard’s heart was large and encompassed so much; it’s a wonder that it’s finally stilled.

A Memorial Service for Richard will occur at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, Maine, on November 18, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., followed by an informal catered celebration at the same venue from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland. To view Richard’s Memorial Page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Portland Parks Conservancy by visiting www.portlandparksconservancy.org/donate or the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation by visiting www.awwf.org/give.