PORTLAND – The State of Maine has lost one of the true luminaries of the legal profession with the passing of Roger A. Putnam. Mr. Putnam died on Feb. 19, 2022, at the Veteran’s Home in Scarborough, with his family surrounding him.

Roger was born on Oct. 20, 1925, at York, the son of Roger A. and Eleanor H. Putnam. His father was a practicing attorney in York and died before Roger was born. He received his education in the public schools of York and Portsmouth, N.H.; and attended the University of New Hampshire, both before and after his service in World War II. As a stalwart member of America’s Greatest Generation, Mr. Putnam served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from December 1943 to May 1946 in the war zones of both the European Theater in France and Germany, and in the South Pacific Theater in the Philippine Islands.

Upon the completion of his military service, and his return to UNH, Roger entered Boston University Law School where he received his LLB in 1951, and upon his admission to the Bar of the State of Maine was appointed as an Assistant Attorney General of Maine. He served in that capacity until March 10, 1958, when he became a partner at the Firm of Verrill Dana Walker Philbrick and Whitehouse, Portland.

Roger’s law practice concentrated in the areas of trial advocacy, administrative law, utilities, and legislative representation before the State Legislature in Augusta. In 1973, a statewide newspaper described Mr. Putnam as “the man who did more to change the Maine lobbying profession than any other group or individual.” He was the last of a generation of legal “generalists,” and another measure of his capabilities and competency was the reality that whenever a Maine lawyer encountered significant difficulty, the first call was to Roger.

He was active in Republican politics, serving in local and statewide activities and became the Chairman of the Maine State Republican Committee and a member of the Republican National Committee. He served as the moderator of town meetings in Cape Elizabeth.

Roger was a dedicated, capable and accomplished attorney, loved and deeply respected by his clients for his insights and loyal representation. He served continually at the highest level of the management at Verrill Dana and always put the interests of the clients and the firm in the primary position. He was a devoted and completely successful mentor to scores of younger lawyers at the firm.

Based upon his significant contributions to the practice of law, Mr. Putnam received countless accolades and prestigious recognitions. He received the Muskie Access to Justice Award in 2008 for his commitment to the public good, a voice for eloquent civility with a passion for justice. He was also the recipient of the Howard H. Dana, Jr. Award in 2004 of the Maine Justice Foundation for his efforts to enhance access to civil legal assistance for poor and vulnerable Mainers.

He was a long-term director of the Nathan and Henry Cleaves Law Library and in recent years was named as an advisory director. In addition, in 2012, the Roger A. Putnam Fund was established at the University of Maine School of Law Foundation in his honor. The fund provides an annual paid summer internship at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic.

Roger is survived by his wife, Linda; and his children Roger III (wife Sally), Jeffrey (wife Kate), Michael (wife Bonnie), and Julie. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two stepdaughters, Kim Anderson (Ted Roney) and Susan Gallant (husband Joe).

He was predeceased by his parents; and by his first wife, Elizabeth, the mother of his children.

The family is planning a memorial service in his memory later in the spring.

Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the Roger A. Putnam Fellowship Fund at the University of Maine Law School, Pine Tree Legal Assistance Inc., or a charity of one’s choice.

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