Ronald Wey Barend, 66, of Waldoboro, died Monday, December 16, at Togus Veterans Center in Augusta. He was an accomplished builder, cabinetmaker and enthusiastic outdoorsman.
Ron was born February 28, 1947, in San Diego, California, the son of Fred and Winnie Hayes Barend. One sister, Sheba, pre-deceased him. He grew up in Massachusetts, where he attended Monson Academy in Wilbraham, but did not graduate. He was proud that just last year, Munson awarded him a diploma. Ron was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served from 1967 to 1970 in the Special Forces (Green Berets) and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He moved to Maine and met Martha Beall Barend, who founded Alewives Fabrics in Damariscotta Mills, and the couple married on June 21, 1980. They settled in Waldoboro where they built their own wood-heated house on the Miller Road, with attached greenhouse, vegetable gardens and small orchard. For many years Ron enjoyed gardening and cooking, fishing, and hunting with his faithful dog. The Barends first had golden retrievers, then Brittany spaniels. He and Martha liked to hike together, and last year they traveled to Ron's birthplace, San Diego, to Pike's Peak in Colorado and to Alaska, where they cruised the inside passage. Ron joined a fishing trip for famous Alaska salmon.
Ron worked as a printer for the Lincoln County News in Damariscotta, and later worked on construction of a mega-yacht for Wayfarer Marine in Camden. He retired, after his injury, from McCormick and Associates, builders, in Rockport. Ron was a volunteer parade coordinator, and regular participant in town Memorial Day events. He was the kind of person who would gladly help out a friend. He was gentle and generous and enjoyed a good joke, even if it was on himself.
In recent years, a serious injury from a fall kept Ron from doing many of the activities he so enjoyed. A gourmet chef, Ron would eat out if the restaurant offered something he wouldn't make at home. In August, Ron and Martha sailed for a week on the windjammer Mary Day. It was their last trip together
Survivors include his wife Martha; a nephew, Chuck; and three nieces, Deborah, Carol and Beth.
A Memorial Service was held on Friday, December 20, 2013 at 10 o’clock in the morning with The Reverend Lu-Anne Conner officiating.