More detail on this person: George W. Rundlett,
formerly of Rockland, Maine, passed away April 25,
2014, after complications from surgery and a long
illness.
At the time of his death he was a resident of
Wading River, N.Y., where he was retired from
Brookhaven National Laboratory after 19 years as a
radiological training instructor. He was born in
Rockland, Maine, August 15, 1940, and attended
public schools in Standish, Rockland, and
Portland. While in Rockland in the early '50s he
attended both Rockland middle school and high
school. His grandmother on his maternal side,
Emily Stevens, was employed by the Burpee
Funeral Home. His other Rockland connection was
the fact that his mother was at one time married
to Stanley Boynton whose picture is on the wall of
fame in Rockland City Hall, recognized for his
cross-country flying records in the 1940s.
Following high school George Rundlett enlisted in
the United States Army and was stationed in
Germany as a medical technician before returning
to the United States and settling in Orono, Maine,
where he graduated from the University of Maine,
receiving a Master's degree in adult education.
After graduation from college he served as a
science teacher for the Bangor school system.
During his teaching career in Maine he also went
to officer's candidate school and achieved the
rank of Captain and was a commander for a
National Guard engineering unit in Newport. He
attended the Embry Riddle School of Flight,
earning his wings, and became a proficient
helicopter pilot which resulted in receiving
commendation for performing 'missions of mercy'
for the medical evacuation of injured people
throughout Maine. He later became a member of
the prestigious group known as the Quiet Birdmen.
He was also a past Commander of American Legion
Aviators' Post 743.
He was an avid sports car enthusiast and won
numerous awards driving in rally competitions
throughout New England. In 1964 he was chairman
of the Penobscot Citizens Safety Council and
during that year took a team of drivers, including
his brother Derry, to Montreal, Canada for an
international sports car driving competition,
which was recognized on local television and by
then Governor John Read.
Fondly known as "Buzz" to his friends, family,
fellow pilots and National Guardsmen, he was also
known for both his musical and artistic talents.
In Wading River, N.Y. he painted a mural for his
local congregational church and served there as a
trustee, lay minister, and pianist for his church
with his wife Linda. His hobbies were many, among
them painting, music, travel, and maintaining
family connections. He was an ambassador of his
extended family and was responsible for connecting
the many generations of his family heritage all
over the United States. His wit and story-telling
abilities were recognized by all he encountered.
He was an excellent public speaker and teacher.
He was predeceased by his father, Ellsworth T.
Rundlett II, in 1958, his mother Esther Nickerson
Stevens Rundlett, in 1981, his sister Barbara
Boynton Gerrish, in 2010, and his twin brother,
Lawrence Stevens Rundlett in October 2013. He is
survived by his beloved wife Linda Rundlett,
Wading River; his three children: twin daughters,
Katherine Rundlett and Christine O'Rourke, Brewer,
Maine, and Elizabeth Elowitch of Portland, Maine
and Boca Raton, Florida, two brothers Ellsworth
(Derry) T. Rundlett III of Cape Elizabeth, Maine,
and John Boynton of Houston, Texas; and seven
grandchildren, Westley Tucker, Portland, Maine,
Alana and Michael Elowitch, Boca Raton, Florida,
and Christopher, Thomas, William and Sarah
O'Rourke, Sedgwick, Maine.
Funeral services will be held at the
Jones-Rich-Hutchins funeral Home, 199 Woodford
Street, Portland, Maine, Saturday, May 3, at 1
p.m., which will be followed by interment and a
Color Guard ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in
Portland, with a reception gathering of family and
friends immediately thereafter.
A Memorial Service is being planned on Long
Island, New York, Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 1:00
p.m., Wading River Congregational Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the
Wounded Warrior Project.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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