Richard Kaups Viekman

31, 2021, at age 92. He died peacefully with his beloved wife Carlene Waugh Viekman, and

family by his side.

Richard was born January 13, 1929, in Bronx, NY, to Marie Spuhl and August Kaups.

He was Faithful to God, his Wife of 67 years, his family and his friends. All held him in the

highest regard and loved him dearly. He faithfully provided for his family through good times

and lean times.

As a preacher/teacher he lived his life by God's grace, setting an example of God's love.

He loved God’s creation, and had a great appreciation for the outdoors which led to him

becoming an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He first developed his love for fishing at a

young age with his brothers, and passed that passion on to his family. He also loved the rocky

coast of Maine, especially having a Lobster dinner with Carlene and family at Young’s Lobster

Pound in Belfast.

He also made sure we had meaningful family times. Some were excursions, with one of his

favorite being Baxter State Park, especially Roaring Brook. Many times, he set the pace hiking

Mount Katahdin, and we’ve followed in his footsteps since. He cherished our camp on a

private island on SouthTwin Lake. Family reunions and numerous visits to Nanny in Albion

created warm and everlasting memories for all of us. Some of the most memorable times of

the year were when we trekked through the great northern woods in search of the perfect

Christmas tree to cut down, and carry out together.

He developed a love for railroads, especially steam locomotives, with his brother Bill, when

they made many visits to the New York Central railyards as boys. When they decided they

wanted to record their adventures, they also found a new love for photography.

Later in life you could find him with his Leica camera around his neck at all our family

adventures. When we got dad’s yellow boxes of slides back in the mail, we would all sit down

for an exciting slideshow with popcorn and plenty of laughter.

Dad had a love of teaching and helping others learn new ideas. He exercised that love as a

pastor in New York and Maine, then as a school teacher in the Millinocket schools. During the

years in Millinocket he helped with a church plant which became Faith Baptist Church.

Following those years, he was called again to full-time ministry as pastor of Harmony Baptist

Church.

All the while, Dad was a competitive benchrest shooter and practiced gunsmithing. He started

his first gunshop, Shooters Supplies, in Millinocket. After being called to Harmony, the store

was reopened in the garage of the church parsonage. Viekman’s Sports Shop in Skowhegan

eventually became the business that supported the family after he left the ministry in Harmony.

He appreciated and lovingly cared for the home/farm in Solon which God perfectly provided for

them over the past 28 years. He loved his garden, orchards and woodlands. He was a

talented builder and craftsman, building two homes and renovating others for his family. He

was always ready and willing to build custom cabinets, doors, and other wood projects to

exacting standards in his woodshop.

Although he didn’t grow up with a father, he became the best Dad a kid could hope for, and we

will painfully miss his comfort, wisdom, teaching, guidance and love of life. We love you Dad.

Richard was preceded in death by his brother William K. Viekman and his sister Astrid

Bagdoyan. He is survived by his loving wife Carlene Waugh Viekman, his brother August K.

Viekman of Cape Cod, his children, Richard E. Viekman and wife Connie of Gallup, New

Mexico, Carly Beth and husband, Bruce Ballantyne of Palermo, Maine, Jane Rebecca (Janie

Bug) and husband, Gary Kenney of Embden, Maine, Jonathan D. Viekman and wife Linda of

Jenison, Michigan, Joel M. Viekman and wife Stacy of Dixmont, Maine, Paul W. E. Viekman of

Hartland, Maine, Timothy C. Viekman and wife, Denise of New Gloucester, Maine, and Peter

W. Viekman and wife Maggie of Anson, Maine, as well as 16 Grandchildren, 13 Great

Grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, September 3, 6-8pm at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home,

Skowhegan, Maine.

Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, September 4, 11am at Crossroads Bible Church,

Madison, Maine.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SmartandEdwardsFH.com for the Viekman family.