Lars H. Rydell, 76, died on August 25, 2018, at his summer residence on Isle of Springs in Boothbay, ME. He was born in Boston, MA, on April 10, 1942, to Carl A. Rydell and Nan A. Holmqvist.

He graduated from Westin High School in Massachusetts in 1960, earned his B.A. in 1964 from Brown University in Providence RI, his M.A. from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH in 1966, and his PhD from Case Western Reserve in 1970.

For a few years Lars was an assistant professor in social medicine at the University of Rhode Island. In 1972, he took the same job at Oslo University, and the whole family moved to Oslo, Norway, for six and a half years.

When they returned to the United States in 1979 they settled in Brunswick ME. For the next 23 years Lars worked in differing capacities for the state of Maine. He was a systems and policy analyst in the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, and also worked for Maine’s Secretary of State.

He was very involved with the Kiwanis Club, and served as a board member for Family Focus in Brunswick, ME.

He had a passion for wood carving, knot tying and sailing.

He decorated a coffee table with the elaborate, intricate designs of traditional Norwegian wood carving. He created mats out of rope woven into ocean plait knots. He sailed on the Oslo Fjord and the Skagerrak, on the Sheepscot River and in Casco Bay.

He loved playing guitar with family and friends.

He made a great herring omelet.

Lars was predeceased by both parents, his wife Charlene, his brother Peter Rydell and his daughter-inlaw Lynn Rydell.

He is survived by his son David Rydell and his daughter in-law Karen of Panama City, FL, his granddaughter Katherine Rydell of Brunswick, ME, his grandson Carl Rydell of Lynchburg, VA, his sister-in-law Katy Rydell of Portland, ME and his partner Jackie Robie of Meredith, NH.

At Lars’s request, there will be no service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Family Focus, 44 Water St., Brunswick, ME. 04011. Family Focus provides early child care services in Midcoast Maine.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements.

To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com.