Richard Besanko, a former state trooper and officer-in-charge of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, died Thursday. He was 89.

Mr. Besanko joined the Massachusetts State Police in 1947 as a state trooper. He was promoted to corporal and then sergeant before retiring as commander of the state police barracks in Leominster in 1967.

Soon thereafter, Mr. Besanko started a second career with the Interstate Commerce Commission in Portland as a safety investigator. In 1968 he was transferred to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration’s Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety. He was later promoted to officer-in-charge and retired from his post in 1985.

His obituary, which was published in Tuesday’s newspaper, said he was self-employed as a state consultant from 1985 to 2005.

His daughter, Kirsten Besanko of Port St. Lucie, Florida, said part of his job was to investigate wrecks involving big rigs on the interstates.

“He was very law-and-order oriented,” she said. “He wanted to make sure people were safe. That part of the job he liked. He could make sure these companies were adhering to the rules.”

He was a loving husband to his wife, Alanna Besanko, for 65 years. The couple raised their three children in Massachusetts, and the family moved to Maine when his job changed. For many years, they lived in Cape Elizabeth.

Mr. Besanko was remembered by his children Tuesday as fun-loving man who loved to laugh, play cards and get together with family and friends. Kirsten Besanko said he was a good father. She reminisced about the years they went camping at Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod. They spent two weeks there every summer.

“My dad would take us down swimming,” his daughter said. “One of our favorite things was when he would pick us up and throw us in the lake. We had a great time. Those were good times.”

Another daughter, Kerry Grindeland of Portland, Oregon, remembered the years he showed up to their games in high school. He supported his grandchildren at their games, too, she said.

She said that in their family, “Mom was the disciplinarian. He was the fun guy. He came home and got to play with us and he loved it. He was the playful dad. He was the good cop to Mom’s bad cop.”

Mr. Besanko was an active member of the community who supported many local service organizations. He was a member of the South Portland Congregational Church. He was also a regular blood donor at the American Red Cross, where he donated more than 11 gallons through the years.

Mr. Besanko had a longtime passion for golf. In his early years, he played in Massachusetts. He was a member of the Augusta Country Club, where he served on its board of governors. He was also a longtime member of Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, where he played often. He golfed with his wife and taught his son to play.

“He would often take me to his club, and we would have a nice round of golf and a couple of beers,” said his son, Larry Besanko, of Gorham. “We would have a great time.”

Mr. Besanko’s health declined in recent years. He had congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. His son said he will miss spending time with him.

“Just about every week, we would go over to his house and have Sunday dinner,” his son said. “I’d watch a ballgame with him and have a glass of scotch or a beer. He was a good man.”

Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:mcreamer@pressherald.com

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