Howard Reiche Jr. helps his wife, Louise "Stevie" Reiche, before walking in with her to receive his master's degree in biochemistry Tuesday at the University of Maine Regional Learning Center in Falmouth.

Howard Reiche Jr., with his wife, Louise "Stevie" Reiche, waits to receive his master's degree Tuesday at the University of Maine Regional Learning Center in Falmouth.

Howard Reiche Jr. waits before he is awarded his master's degree Tuesday at the University of Maine Regional Learning Center. He hopes to begin tutoring in the sciences with the degree. "I don't know if I'm more qualified now, but at least I have the credential," he said.

Howard Reiche Jr. shakes hands with Dean of Graduate Studies Carol Kim as he is awarded his master's degree in biochemistry Tuesday at the University of Maine Regional Learning Center.

Howard Reiche Jr. gets emotional while holding his master's degree for the first time Tuesday at the University of Maine Learning Center in Falmouth.

Howard Reiche Jr. holds his newly awarded master's degree Tuesday. Reiche, who is 85, began studying for the degree in 1950 and wanted to finish it to check off "another box on my bucket list."

Louise "Stevie" Reiche and Howard Reiche Jr. examine his newly awarded master's degree in biochemistry Tuesday, more than 60 years after he started working to earn it.

Louise "Stevie" Reiche and her husband, Howard Reiche Jr., speak after he was awarded a master's degree in biochemistry at the University of Maine Regional Learning Center in Falmouth on Tuesday. "You paid for it," he joked to his wife after she examined the diploma. Reiche started the degree in 1950.