Senator Richard C. Kneeland
KNEELAND, Senator Richard C., 92, EASTON, at Portland, April 28, 2016. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, at the Funeral Home. Interment will be later in the spring at Estes Cemetery, Easton. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
EASTON – Senator Richard C. Kneeland, 82, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Maine Medical Center, Portland. He was born May 16, 1933, in Easton, the son of Afton and Dorothy (Johnston) Kneeland. He is a 1951 graduate of Easton High School and attended the University of Maine. 
Operator of Kneeland Farms for 45 years, Richard served the agricultural community in several positions: director of Maine Potato Growers for 30 years, several of which as vice president; president of Aroostook Farm Bureau; director of Maine Farm Bureau; chairman of Maine Potato Commission and president of Maine Potato Board. The Kneeland family was named Farm Family of the year in 1997.
Richard served on the Easton Board of Selectmen for 20 years. He was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1992 from District 144 comprised of Blaine, Easton, Fort Fairfield and Mars Hill, where he served as the lead Republican on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for the 116th, 117th, 118th, and 119th Legislatures, Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, and the Housing and Economic Development Committee. Elected State Senator in 2000 from District 2, he represented Caribou, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Presque Isle. As Senator, he was on the Taxation Committee, Inland Fishers and Wildlife Committee and Chairman of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
The National Republican Legislative Association honored him with the 1999 Legislator of the Year Award for his remarkable legislative leadership for the constituents of the state of Maine. A skilled budget negotiator, he was cited for leading the Republican team in the most successful budget effort in recent memory. He was commended for his steady hand in dealing with the majority Democrats and the Independent Governor in what were often tense and emotional negotiations.
He also was recognized as the “Lawmaker of the Year” by the Christian Civic League of Maine. In 1997 he received the Distinguished Community Service Award for outstanding contribution in the conservation of soil, water and natural resources from the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conversation District and was recognized by the Aroostook Country Extension Association for his contributions to Aroostook Country Agriculture. In 1999 the Maine FFA association recognized his contribution to agriculture education. In 2004 the Maine Potato Board presented him the President’s Award in recognition of his service, leadership, dedication and legislative support to the Maine Potato Industry.
Richard was a member of United Baptist Church of Easton and later Calvary Baptist Church in Westfield. He was deacon, youth leader and Sunday school teacher for many years. He was a member of the Easton Kiwanis and the “Little School” restoration committee and recently served on the Easton Sesquicentennial Committee.
A patriot, Richard was known to the Easton community as kind, generous and loyal. While enjoying five winters in Florida, his heart remained in Easton. In addition to entertaining family, he enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends, spending time at his camp, boating, fishing, gardening, snowmobiling, attending Easton High School basketball games and watching fireworks.
A beloved husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, L. Jean (Keirstead) Kneeland of Easton; son, Keith (Alice) Kneeland of Easton; daughters, Cheryl (Scott) Koenke of Greer, SC, and Barbara (Douglas) Blackstone of Easton; grandchildren: Ginger (Otis) Nelson, Rene (Ralph) MacDougal, Jessica (Lynwood) Winslow, Jeffrey (Jenny) Blackstone, Dennae, Samuel and Richard Koenke; great-grandchildren: Otis Jr., Kassandra, Samantha, Justice, Dustin, MacKenzie, Kylie, Calvin Colby, Jadynn, Chloe, and Sophie; sister,, Avis (Llewellyn) White of Easton; sister-in-law, Carol Keirstead, Greer, SC; nieces and nephews: Donna, Sharon, Stewart, Bruce and Linda; and many special cousins.
In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by a sister, Mary Daigneault; and a great-granddaughter, Sadie.
Family and friends called 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church Street, Presque Isle where funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2016, with Pastor Larry Palmer officiating. Interment will be later in the spring at Estes Cemetery, Easton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to Child Evangelism Fellowship, Northern Chapter, P.O. Box 28, Mars Hill, ME 04758 or to Easton High School Scholarship Program, RE: Richard Kneeland, P.O. Box 66, Easton, ME 04740. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
