WAYNE -- Richard Lee Hoddinott Jr., 55, longtime Wayne resident, died at Central Maine Medical Center on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Lewiston. He was born on Jan. 25, 1954, in Summit, N.J., son of Richard and Miriam Hoddinott. Spending his early years in Greene Village, his family then moved to Richmond, Va., where he attended Benedictine High School. All of his childhood summers were spent at the family camp in Wayne. After graduating from University of Maine, Orono, with his degree in education, he made Wayne his permanent residence. Rick first taught at Hodgkins School in Augusta beginning in 1977. His bigger-than-life personality guided his sixth-grade classes through the magical world of science. Later on in his career, he also taught at Wilton and Livermore Falls middle schools. His knowledge and positive energy affected myriad students throughout his career. One of the founding fathers of the white-water rafting industry in Maine, Rick began as a guide for Maine Whitewater in the late 1970s. Shortly after, he started his own company, Downeast Whitewater, based in The Forks. Realizing the importance of the outdoors to Maine's youth, he helped to create Adventure Bound, a white-water company specializing in rafting, rock climbing and other outdoor adventures focusing on teens and families. In the mid-1990s, Rick owned and operated Mount Abram in Locke Mills. He was an outdoorsman in every aspect of his life. From scuba diving to owning and flying his own plane; from rafting the Colorado River to sailing off the shores of Puerto Rico; from hunting in the north Maine woods to hiking Mount Katahdin, the outdoors were his playground. Rick leaves behind two daughters, Erika Paige and Avery Nicole; his sister, Martha and her husband, Tom Wells; two nephews, Max and Lucas; his mother Moo; and his dog, Bode. There will be an informal gathering at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Ladd Center in Wayne. All those who want to share a story and be with friends to honor his memory are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to Living Rivers, P.O. Box 466, Moab, UT 84532; or Androscoggin Lake Improve-ment Corporation, P.O. Box 307, Wayne ME 04284. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home Web site at www.khrfuneralhomes. com.