Richard Charles Parkhurst

Richard Charles Parkhurst, of Yarmouth, Maine, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Maine Medical Center. Rick was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1941, the son of Charles W. Parkhurst and Anne L. Doherty.

Upon graduation from Saint Francis University, Rick attended the U.S. Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, and received his commission as an Ensign. He then entered the Navy Flight Training Program and earned his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold. While on temporary duty as a recruiter at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Rick was introduced to Barbara Kling. They were married in Willow Grove, on October 4, 1969.

Rick’s Navy service included a tour with Patrol Squadron 21, in Brunswick, Maine, two deployments to the Mediterranean, and one tour with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One, in Key West, Florida. After his Key West tour, Rick left the Navy, and then he, Barb, and Fred—their Irish Setter—moved to Yarmouth.

After several years of operating a small business in Freeport, Rick accepted a position as Business Manager at North Yarmouth Academy, an independent college preparatory school. Following NYA, he joined the Facilities Management Department at Bowdoin College, where he was Assistant Director for Property and Budget Administration, until his retirement in 2003.

Rick was an avid reader who especially enjoyed science fiction and historical fiction. For several years, Rick and Barb enjoyed boating on Casco Bay in their power boat, Liberty. After selling their boat, they began traveling throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic States, visiting historical sites and well as small history centers and museums. Of all the places he visited, Rick’s favorite was the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, in Boothbay. A club hockey player in college, Rick never lost his love of the game. He was a devoted Maine Black Bear fan and enjoyed watching their games live and on TV. He was a member of the Yarmouth Historical Society and served on its Board of Directors for several years.

Rick was predeceased by his parents and sister, Nancy P. Kling. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, brothers-in-law David Kling (Kathy Sanders), Edmund P. Kling III (Judy Kling), and sister-in-law, Bonnie Magill (Ronald Magill, † 2010); nephews R. Jay Magill, Jr. (Tanja), Jed Kling IV (Melissa), Andrew Kling (Jodi), and Scott Magill (Lindsay); nieces Elizabeth Hanawalt (Robert), Alison Kling (David Marino), and Adria Katz (Michael), and fifteen great nieces and nephews.

Burial in the Baptist Cemetery in Yarmouth will be private. A reception for family and friends to share memories and stories about Rick will be held on May 16 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lindquist Funeral Home.