KENNEBUNK — Charles Edgar “Charlie” Dibble, 80, of Kimball Lane, died Monday evening, March 24, 2014 at Bradford Court in Kennebunk.
He was born in Nutley, N.J. on June 11, 1933, the son of Edgar Johnson and Edith Florence (Spiegle) Dibble.
He grew up in Stamford, Conn., and was a graduate of Darien High School.
Charlie was drafted into the U.S. Army at the onset of the Korean Conflict.
After his discharge from the Army, he married the love of his life, Nancy Bennett, on June 25, 1954. Together they shared 59 years of marriage.
Charlie earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Connecticut in mechanical engineering.
He was employed as a draftsman and design engineer for the Burndy Corporation and the Harvey Hubble Company. After moving to Maine in 1971, he worked for J. Weston Walsh Publishers and Maine Medical Center in materials management. He then branched into the design and construction of racing shells. He was the owner of Dirigo (Schoenbrod) Racing Shells in Biddeford. In this capacity, he was instrumental in the design of the vacuum bagging process, which enabled thinner yet stronger hulls. His racing shells were used by college rowing teams throughout the country. Charlie donated a shell to the U.S. Olympic Committee, and one in his father’s name to Trinity College.
He was very proud of a 1946 Ford, which he completely restored. From nuts and bolts and wires, everything was meticulously labeled.
He is survived by: his loving wife, Nancy of Kennebunk; his son, James Dibble and wife Marilyn of Standish; his daughter, Tammy Fuller and husband Peter of Boxford, Mass.; his sister, Marguerite A. “Dee” Dibble of Torrington, Conn.; and three grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be on Friday, March 28, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan, Conn. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations in his name to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk. www.bibberfuneral.com.
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