Waldeck’s Obituary Waldeck E. Mainville, Jr., Ph.D. Waldeck Ernest Mainville Jr., (80), formerly of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, died January 31, 2019 of cancer. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 3, 1938, the middle child of Waldeck E. Sr. and Reta Milliken Mainville. He grew up in Dundalk, Maryland and graduated from Dundalk High School in 1956.
Waldeck was a teacher all his life. He attended the University of Maine obtaining a B.S. in Education in 1960, an A.M. in Mathematics from Bowdoin College in 1964, a Sp. Ed.
From Bowling Green (Ohio) State University in 1965, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Michigan State University in 1972. He was the recipient of one National Science Foundation Summer School Scholarship and two consecutive National Science Foundation Academic Year Scholarships. He taught in public schools in Auburn, Maine, and Long Island, New York before joining the faculty at the University of Southern Maine in 1965, retiring as Professor Emeritus of Mathematics in 2005.
During his 40-year career at USM, he served not only as a Professor of Mathematics, but was also, at various points, an Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. As a teacher, he taught from his own books and was a recipient of USM’s Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award. His research involved the history of mathematics, a subject of many of his presentations.
In the years following the merger between the University of Maine in Portland and Gorham State Teachers College, Waldeck was heavily involved in a Master of Education degree with cognate in mathematics, graduating numerous area secondary school mathematics teachers. For over 20 years, working jointly with the College of Education, he supervised senior mathematics majors during their student teaching experience in local schools from Kittery to Augusta. He was a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 39 years and was a frequent speaker at NCTM meetings in Canada and the United States.
He served on several national committees and contributed to their publications. He was a lifetime member of both the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England, serving as President from 1976-1978, and the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine, serving as Treasurer from 1967-1983. He was recognized in both Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who in American Education.
Upon retirement his collected writings, course and research materials, along with 40 years of university growth and history, were donated to USM’s Glickman Special Collections. Bates College now houses his extensive mathematics library. Dick was an amateur competitive ballroom dancer competing at the highest level possible with his wife and best friend Helen.
They competed in England, Austria, Ireland, Canada and the United States over a 15-year period and were ranked, at one point as best in the United States at their age level. They were featured in several publications including the Maine Sunday Telegram and Down East magazine. Dick was an active member of the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department, joining as a volunteer firefighter in 1972.
He rose in ranks and served as captain of Engine Co. #1 from 1980-1985 and was training officer for the entire department for eight years. He was secretary/treasurer of Engine Co. #1 from 1986-2008 and remained as treasurer until he retired from the company in 2012. He joined the rescue company as a vehicle driver in 2003 and responded to over 825 emergency calls.
He was company treasurer for four years. The Cape Elizabeth Historical Society now houses his plaques, awards, pictures and related items. Dick enjoyed model railroading, following his father into the hobby.
He built several HO layouts based on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and collected B&O RR memorabilia. He was a lifetime member of both the B&O RR Museum in Baltimore and the B&O RR Historical Society. His final layout was dismantled and given to the Boothbay Railway Village.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Mainville of Somerville, ME; daughter Celine Mainville and spouse Katie Payson, of Cape Elizabeth, ME, son Robert Mainville and wife, Ann of Cape Elizabeth, ME, daughter Lisa Mainville of Longmeadow, MA and son Tim Keyworth and wife Maureen of Deep River, CT; grandchildren Jesse and Aaron Goldberg, Addison Keyworth, Ellie and Alex Mainville and Benjamin Payson. He is also survived by his sisters, Norma Davis of Jacksonville, FL, and Marilyn Taylor of Scarborough, ME and nieces Pennie Taylor, Emily Jansen and Rejeanne Hankins. A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine with a reception at the Hobbs Hospitality Center from 11 am to 1 pm.
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