The Town of Scarborough lost a great public servant this past week with the passing of longtime teacher and coach Richard “Dick” Plummer.

I think most people can look back and remember a special teacher that made a significant impression on them during their grade school years. Having been born and brought up in Scarborough my whole life, I had the benefit of our excellent schools. There are actually a number of outstanding teachers that rise to that level in my memory, but Coach Plummer is certainly at the very top of that list.

I met him over 34 years ago when I entered SHS as a

freshman. I also had the pleasure of being part of his soccer teams three of the four years he led the team to consecutive state championships in the 1970s. Soccer was relatively new to our area during those early years and basketball and baseball got all the attention. Dick was sharp and felt that fall soccer would be a great way to get his basketball players in physical shape for the basketball season while having fun. He quickly became a leader in the sport and produced very competitive teams throughout his career not only in soccer, but also basketball and baseball.

Even in retirement Coach Plummer helped behind the scenes and was a life-long fan and supporter. He was particularly proud of this year’s championship team. I tried to get him to the final game, or at the very least a ride in the celebratory fire department parade back into town when they won. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it, although he was certainly there in spirit.

Dick was one of those individuals that you couldn’t help but like. As a teacher and coach for almost 40 years, he treated all his students and athletes with the same respect he expected in return. He modeled the behavior and personal attributes that have shaped the lives of thousands of Scarborough citizens, and he did it with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor.

I’m proud to say I’ve remained a personal friend of Dick’s over the years. I would run into him all over town, but most often at the Scarborough Memorial Cemetery. Dick started a landscaping business after retiring and has held the contract to maintain that facility for the town for many years. As we get older and know more people it seems we attend a lot more funerals. Whenever I attended one there I could count on Coach Plummer hiding in the woods waiting for everyone to leave so he could do his job. I would always catch up with him after the service to get one of his familiar firm handshakes, a quick joke, or more often a humorous jab about something!

Dick loved that cemetery and was as proud of his work there as he was of his many sports teams. He personally knew the history of most of the families buried there and when he performed his duties he treated each deceased member with the same compassion, dignity, and respect he would provide for a member of his own family.

Coach Plummer has been a mentor and role model for thousands of Scarborough Redskins over his distinguished career and he has left an indelible mark on our community.

May you rest in peace, Coach.

B. Michael Thurlow is chief of the Scarborough Fire Department.