BRUNSWICK — Donald H. Ludgin, 85, died Jan. 19 at Mid Coast Hospital after suffering a severe stroke. Formerly of Georgetown, he and his wife, Sue, had been living at Thornton Hall, in Brunswick.

Ludgin was born Sept. 16, 1929, in Chicago, one of five children of Mary King (MacDonald) and Earle Ludgin. Living in suburban Winnetka, Illinois, the family was known for its support of local arts and loyalty to the University of Chicago. But Donald chose to attend Oberlin College in Ohio, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1951.

After service with the U.S. Army, including a year in Germany, Ludgin returned to Chicago and joined the editorial staff of World Book Encyclopedia. Articles about the arts were his specialty for more than 25 years. For five years, in London and in Sydney, he worked to establish an international edition of World Book and trained its editors.

Ludgin and his family eventually settled in Evanston, Illinois, where they lived for 20 years. After retirement, he and his wife decided to make their home on land they had purchased in Maine. It became the home where they lived longer than any other place.

Ludgin was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Earle and Roger.

Surviving are his wife; daughter, Sarah Davis, husband Scott and their six children; daughter, Katherine Feit, husband Pete and their four children; son, Peter Ludgin, and his three children; 13 grandchildren; his sister, Mary Barbara; and his youngest brother, Quentin.

Visitation was held Jan. 24 at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, in Bath.

At a date to be chosen, the family will invite friends to a celebration of Ludgin’s life, in Georgetown.


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