Obituary: Richard “Dick” Hood King

Maine News Now

Former Newspaper Executive and Lifelong Community Leader Richard “Dick” Hood King Dies at 92

Worcester, Mass. – Richard “Dick” Hood King, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a respected figure in Maine’s newspaper community, died peacefully on September 13, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born in Boston on January 24, 1934, King was 92.

King earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1955 before serving aboard the USS Cushing in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Massachusetts to complete an MBA at Harvard Business School in 1961, launching a career that would span several decades in corporate finance. He eventually rose to the position of Vice President of Administration at The Hartford Courant, and later chaired the Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association, where he was known for his commitment to editorial integrity and newsroom innovation.

A lifelong donor of blood, King’s philanthropy extended beyond the newsroom. He held leadership roles with the Connecticut Audubon Society, served at several Episcopal parishes, and was active in local historical societies. A passionate sailor and birdwatcher, he often spent weekends on the water or tracking migratory birds along the New England coast.

King married Reta Schoonmaker in 1959, and the couple remained together for 67 years. The couple has three children: Whitney, Rick (Peter), and Nanci (Michael), along with six grandchildren and seven great‑grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden, Mass. The service will be streamed live on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, King’s family asks that memorial donations be made to the Connecticut Audubon Society, the Falmouth Historical Society, the Maine Maritime Museum, any charity of your choosing, or by donating blood in his honor.

The full obituary and additional details are available through Miles Funeral Home.