Local Navy Veteran and Woolwich Leader Rick Snell Dies

Richard W. "Rick" Snell was 75 when he died on November 26, 2025. Born in 1950, Snell trained in computer science, served in the U.S. Navy, and went on to a career in communications and computing that included positions tied to shipbuilding work in the Bath area, including at Supship in Bath. He also served in municipal government as a selectman in Woolwich, a role that connected him directly with neighbors and local policy decisions.

Snell's lifework bridged military service, technical labor, and civic engagement. His experience in naval communications and computing made him part of a cohort of workers whose skills undergird the regional shipbuilding economy. For Sagadahoc County residents who have family members working at the shipyard or serving in the military, his career reflected longstanding local ties between defense work and community life.

As a Woolwich selectman Snell participated in town governance at a grassroots level. The loss of an elected local official and longtime community member has practical consequences for municipal continuity and for the informal networks that sustain volunteer driven town services. Neighborhood associations, veterans groups, and municipal offices often rely on experienced leaders to mentor newcomers and to ensure that local voices are heard in decisions about public safety, infrastructure, and social services.

Snell's passing also highlights broader public health and policy issues that affect older veterans and civic volunteers. Aging service members and retired technical workers frequently need access to coordinated health care, mental health support, and assistance with transportation and housing. Local health providers and policymakers may see this moment as a reminder to evaluate resources for veterans and for older adults who remain active in local government.

He is survived by family members whose names were listed in published remembrances, and details about services and charitable remembrances were provided at the time of his obituary. The community in Bath, Woolwich, and beyond is left to reckon with the loss of a figure who represented the convergence of military service, technical labor, and civic stewardship that shapes life in Sagadahoc County.