Roger Benedict Gorham

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Roger Benedict Gorham died Jan. 27, 2023, at Carol Woods in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was born in Newton, Mass. Aug. 27, 1925, the son of Thomas and Margaret Benedict Gorham.

He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1944 and from Harvard College in 1950. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe in World War II. In 1949, he married Nancy Baldwin, daughter of Robert and Frances Baldwin of Belmont and Boston, Mass.

After working for Bates Manufacturing and Dewey and Almy Chemical Company, Mr. Gorham was treasurer for Campbell, Payson, and Noyes Insurance in Portland. He retired in 1982 after 24 years. He served on governor’s task forces for both workers’ compensation and medical malpractice, and was the first chairman of the Maine Medical and Hospital Joint Underwriting Association. Pursuing a lifelong interest in the environment, after retirement he joined Maine Audubon as business manager for two years. He led many field trips on salt marsh ecology at the Scarborough Marsh Nature Center. As a volunteer, he taught 6th grade science for five years in Cape Elizabeth and eight more years in Scarborough. He was named President George H.W. Bush’s 103rd Point of Light in 1990 and received the Jefferson Award for public service in 1991.

He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy B. Gorham after 67 years of a happy marriage; his daughter, Deborah G. Soule of Tuscon, Ariz., and his son-in-law, F. William Schweke II of Carrboro, N.C. He leaves two daughters, Anne G. Bodfish (David) of South Portland and Lucy S. Gorham of Carrboro, N.C., and son-in-law, John Soule of Tuscon, Ariz. He also leaves three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be shared at cremationsocietync.com

Memorial contributions can be made to:

the Natural Resources Council of Maine