Peter Bachelder

Ellsworth, ME- Peter Dow Bachelder, 85, of Ellsworth, passed away on August 8, 2025 at his residence in the loving care of his wife and sister-in-law. He was born in Portland on June 13, 1940, a son of Edwin and Lena (Dow) Bachelder.

Peter grew up in Cape Elizabeth where he first developed his love for the coast. He attended South Portland High School and graduated from University of Maine in Orono.

He was Director of Information Services for the Maine Publicity Bureau assisting tourists in making their travel plans when visiting the state of Maine. He wrote and edited publications, trained staff and oversaw the information centers where tourists stopped for travel assistance. While filling in as the temporary manager of the Kittery Information Center, he met Katherine who was working as a travel counselor there. They fell in love and were married on November 9th, 1979.

Peter traveled more than 2 million miles around Maine during his 30 years working for the MPB. He made it a point to travel every mile of every numbered highway in the state. He was presented the Kathryn M. Weare award for significant contributions to the tourism industry. He was appointed as a trustee to the Maine Delegation to the Big E (Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA) and was named the Maine Tourism Association’s official historian.

Peter was a self taught author. Writing did not come easily to him but he worked hard at it. He loved researching and finding new information to share with his readers.

In the mid-sixties, he began his first writing endeavor which was a weekly column chronicling various aspects of maritime history for the Portland Evening Express. He subsequently wrote seven books about different aspects of maritime, Maine and tourism history. He collaborated on a series of maps detailing the lighthouses in an area and the best location to view them.

Peter was passionate about Doowop music, lighthouses, the state of Maine, traveling and friends and family. He loved nothing more than planning a trip for people, taking them to see new or favorite places and finding eateries that had their favorite foods.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Katherine Bachelder; his son, Peter Dow Bachelder II and his fiancée Michele Miller; his granddaughter, Brittany Bachelder and her fiancée Michael Bermingham and his daughter Emily; great-granddaughter, Vivian Bermingham; his brother-in-law, Eugene Morin and his partner Louise Fiske; and his sister-in-law, Cheryl Watson and her husband, John. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces. Peter was pre-deceased by his sister, Jane Bachelder Morin on March 12, 2021.

A visiting hour will be held from 11am – 12 pm on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, where a memorial service will follow at 12 pm. A Reception at the funeral home will immediately follow the service. Burial will be held at 2:30 pm at Riverside Cemetery in Yarmouth.

Peter’s family wishes to thank Dr. Anita Kolisch of Northern Lights Primary Care for her kindness as well as staff at Community Health and Counseling Services and Beacon Hospice.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to sign Peter’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.