Richard P. Talbot

WORCESTER - Richard P. Talbot, Ph.D, 72, of Worcester, died Friday, March 12, 2021 at UMass Memorial – University Campus.

He leaves his wife of 23 years, Lucille M. (Comtois) Brooks Talbot; his children Peter J. Talbot of Maine and Brian D. Talbot and his wife Kara Tureski of Virginia; his stepdaughter, Tara M. Brooks of Worcester; grandchildren Stephen R. Talbot, Grayson T. Talbot, and Alexander T. Talbot; step-grandchildren Camylle Johnson and Kennedy Johnson.  He also leaves his siblings Nancy F. Dexter of Round Pond, ME and Joseph F. Talbot of Portland, ME; nieces and nephews.  His stepdaughter, Kimberly N. Brooks, predeceased him in 2002.  He was born in Topsfield, Maine at his grandparents' farmhouse, son of the late Frederick J. and Geneva M. (Carey) Talbot.

In 1970 he married Sarah McMillen Davis and had two sons: Peter J. Talbot and Brian D. Talbot.  Sarah Davis Talbot passed away in 1981.  

Richard graduated from Cheverus High School, Portland, Maine, Class of 1967.  He graduated from the University of Maine in Portland (now the University of Southern Maine) in 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology.  During his senior year at Maine he proudly served on the committee that merged University of Maine at Portland and Gorham State College to form the University of Southern Maine. He earned a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire in 1978 and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire in 1987.  He played high school, American Legion, and college baseball as an infielder and sometimes outfielder. He served seven years combined in the Maine and New Hampshire Army National Guard.  He held full time academic teaching positions at University of New Hampshire, Assumption College, University of Maine at Farmington, Saint Anselm College, and Anna Maria College, spanning 32 years.  He retired in July, 2019 from Anna Maria College and was appointed Professor Emeritus in the Fall of 2019.

Sociology was his passion. His major academic interests involved issues of social justice and the criminal justice system. In his younger years he was primarily interested in the issues of social inequality and education.  He published several academic papers published as journal articles and book chapters.

Richard loved the mountains of New Hampshire and the beaches of southern Maine, especially Drakes Island and Ogunquit beaches.  He also loved visiting Fort Myers Beach and treks to Bowditch Point, and playing golf in Worcester area courses like Holden Hills and Leicester Country Club.  He loved his Patriots and Red Sox. 

A calling hour will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 from 10:00 – 10:45 am at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main St, followed by a Mass at 11:00 am.  Burial will be private.  Arrangements are in the care of Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Anna Maria Student Financial Need Scholarship Fund.