CAPE ELIZABETH – Peter Gilbert Rich, 88, died peacefully in his sleep on March 9, 2021 in his home in Cape Elizabeth. Peter, son of Dominic William Rich and Helen Gilbert Rich, was born in Staten Island, N.Y. on Sept. 30, 1932.Peter graduated from Harvard University in 1955. While in college he met and fell in love with Linda Cooper; they were married on June 30, 1956. After college he served in the US Army and was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo. There he and Linda started their family. After completing his military service, Peter attended University of Michigan Law School where he graduated 1960.Soon after attaining his law degree, Peter and Linda moved to Maine to be closer to her family. They made their home in Cape Elizabeth where they raised three children and where he remained until his death. He was active in the community, serving on the local school board and coordinating groups to support local businesses and a variety of environmental causes. He practiced law in Portland for more than 30 years.Peter and Linda enjoyed training dogs in obedience, agility and tracking – earning awards in both the US and Canada. Their dogs were a perpetual source of love, joy, companionship and amusement as well as occasional consternation.Peter is perhaps best known for his ardent bicycling, including multiple cross-country tours traversing large swaths of America. His favorite biking adventure took him up the Natchez Trace. For many years he could be seen commuting to work year-round, regardless of the weather, and he was one of the first to ride a recumbent bicycle in Cape Elizabeth. Later in life he became an avid walker, enjoying the streets and trails of the Cape. On his morning walks he enjoyed conversations with friends, neighbors, tourists, and fellow walkers as they took in the beauty and salt air of the coast of Maine. He continued long walks well into his 80s, often making stops at Pond Cove, Fort Williams and the Thomas Memorial Library part of his daily routine. Following his daily constitutionals, Peter could often be found tending to his beautiful perennial gardens.Peter and Linda were married for 61 loving years – until she died in 2017. Peter and Linda are survived by their three children Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Thomas; and their two grandsons Will and Jon.A graveside service will be held at the Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth on Monday, May 17 at 11 a.m.Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at ww.hobbsfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers,contributions can be made in memorial to the: Peter Rich Fund at theThomas Memorial Library