PORTLAND- Richard Leo Hustus (aka Rick Hawkins) passed from this earthly life on October 26, 2025 while in the loving, compassionate care of Gosnell House in Scarborough. Born on July 5, 1969, he was the son of Richard F. Bond Hustus and LaVerne A. Meehan Hustus.
As a child Richard loved baseball, playing, usually as pitcher, from Farm League to Little League to an All-Star Team. For several years all his spare time focused on his 4-wheeler and dirt bike as well as doing trick riding and jumping with two-wheel bikes. He also enjoyed dance lessons, a craft he continued to love throughout his adult years. Richard attended Westbrook High School for a time, and in 2003, he returned to an adult-ed program and earned his high school diploma (in his words, “to please my mother”).
Richard lived his life “to the beat of a different drummer.” He worked several jobs in the communications field, dancing with street theatrical groups to earn money that took him to the West Coast to continue working with communication devices. He even did a stint as a model. Although in recent years, he had no permanent home, he resisted being called, “homeless,” preferring to call himself an “adventurer”. He spent the majority of this time in his hometown of Westbrook where he used his “gift of gab” to find odd jobs shoveling snow, etc. He loved to make people laugh and spent a lot of time at or near the Walker Memorial Library, describing himself as being happy with his lot in life - until he was diagnosed with major health issues. His family appreciates the superb care shown by the staff at Maine Medical Center, Portland’s YMCA, and the Public Safety personnel in Westbrook. Most recently, the care, compassion, and love exerted by the entire staff of Gosnell House was extraordinary and very much appreciated.
Richard was predeceased by his father, a very special nephew, Jacob Foster, who passed at the age of three, and many extended family members on both the Hustus and Meehan sides of his family. In addition to extended family members, he is survived by his mother, LaVerne Hustus and brother, Stephen Foster (wife Melissa).
In accordance with Richard’s wishes, he will be buried at Cedar Brook Burial Ground in Limington (a green cemetery) on Wednesday, October 29. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Highland Lake Grange Hall on Hardy Road in Westbrook at a time to be decided soon. All are welcome to share thoughts and condolences there.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in Richard’s memory to the Peer Support Team at Westbrook Public Safety Police, Fire and Rescue, 570 Main Street, Westbrook, ME 04092.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com