Obituary of Rene-Leon Boudreau

Rene Leon Boudreau, 83 YARMOUTH -- It is with great sadness that we report that Mr. Rene Leon Boudreau of Yarmouth, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 19, 2008, at age 83. He is survived by his wife Barbara; sons James Karle and Robert Addison; grandchildren, Roxanne Marie, Michelle Boudreau Mattingly, Robert Addison Jr., Chantel Nicole and Adrienne Kathleen Boudreau; and four great-granddaughters. Rene was born in Pittsburg, Pa., on Jan. 25, 1925, the son of Dr. James Clayton Boudreau, a professor at the University of Pittsburg, and Helen Lucille Cronenwett. When Rene was three years old his father became Dean of the Art School of Pratt Institute in New York City and the family moved to Douglaston, N.Y. Around the same time his parents bought an old 'Gentleman's' Farm on the River Road between Newcastle and Boothbay Harbor, where he spent every summer and had many wonderful times. He attended New York City public schools up until his Sophomore year when he transferred to the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. It was at New Hampton that he first met his future wife, Barbara Ferson Rich of Portland, who was the sister of one of the other students. After graduation he enrolled in Bowdoin College in Brunswick, where he pursued a degree in history and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He had many happy days in college. It was during this time that the country was embroiled in World War II and he interrupted his studies upon becoming 18 to enlist in the Army. At first he was enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program and sent to Charleston, South Carolina to study engineering. However, due to a dire need for infantrymen the Army closed the program and shipped Rene overseas to England. When Germany launched its last offensive (later referred to as the Battle of the Bulge) in December 1944 Rene was sent to the front and fought in the 273rd Infantry, Company G, near Patton's Third Army helping to stop and later push back the German advance. He continued participating as a ground soldier up until the end of the war. His participation in the war had a profound effect upon him as he never discussed his war experiences with his sons until many years later after he was retired. Since the soldiers who had enlisted the earliest were allowed to go home first, Rene did not return to the States until April, 1946 and at his first opportunity re-enrolled in Bowdoin to complete his studies. On June 7, 1947 Rene married Barbara Rich, Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763 with whom he hadbeen continuing to correspond during the war, at the Woodford's Congregational Church in Portland. Rene graduated from Bowdoin a year later. After graduation Rene left Maine to seek employment. He was a sales representative for Stuart Pharmaceuticals, next a sales representative for Barnes and Noble's College Outline Series and later in Medical publishing working for McGraw Hill, Yearbook Medical Publishing and Lippincott in succession as an editor assisting doctors in publishing medical textbooks. While working for Barnes and Noble Rene had much free time during the summers which he used to take his family camping. One year he took the family camping all the way from Philadelphia to Yellowstone and back travelling in a Saab with the family dog. In his 50s Rene ran in the Chicago Marathon twice. He also completed a 300 mile bike ride across the state of Wisconsin. Rene had two wonderful sons, James Karle and Robert Addison. It was a very close and loving family. Jim and Bob both went off to the University of Illinois and later Jim to Law School and Bob to graduate school in chemistry. Rene always loved books, music, travelling and of course family. After retirement he also enjoyed spending time studying the stock market and working to maximize his modest pension. He has passed his love of books on to both his sons. Upon retirement Rene and Barbara eventually moved back to Maine which they always loved and where Rene lived up until his death. Rene has suffered in his later years with health problems, but despite it all he seldom complained and has always remained cheerful. He and his wife had 61 years of blissful life together. He will surely be missed by his family, friends and devoted dog, Dillon. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at 4 p.m., at the Woodfords Congregational Church, in the Chapel, 202 Woodford St., Portland, to be followed by refreshments at the Homewood Lodge in Yarmouth. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and memories with the Boudreau family by visiting Rene's guest book at www.mem.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Animal Refuge League P.O. Box 336 Westbrook, Maine 04092