Portland Press Herald
July 6, 2004, Page B8

Victor A. Schlich

PORTLAND - Victor A. Schlich passed away unexpectedly on July 4, 2004.Victor, a first-generation American, was born in New York City on March 7, 1920. His parents, Otto and Kathe Geib Schlich emigrated here from Kaiserslauten, Germany.

Victor attended City College of New York and New York University before joining the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served in Panama during part of 1940 and 1941. In 1942, he reenlisted for active duty and served aboard the USS Vulcan in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters until September 1945. After his discharge, he returned to his position as a safety engineer in New York City.

Victor and Madeline Kimbell (Schlich) were married in 1944, during a leave from his service.

Vic's love of writing started many years back, and led him to the position of a reporter for the Portland newspapers in 1947. Later he was the news reporter and anchor for WPMT-TV, Maine's first TV station in 1953.

He also wrote freelance articles for newspapers, magazines and trade papers, and for ten years, edited a quarterly magazine for the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce.

For 14 years, he headed Adventures, Inc., advertising agency in Portland before returning to freelance writing. He also worked part-time as a news and copy editor for the Gannett newspapers in Portland.

Victor and his wife loved traveling. They participated in many Elderhostel programs, as well as taking car trips across the country.

He was an active volunteer in several organizations, including AARP where he was the communications coordinator for the State of Maine, and the president of the Greater Portland chapter. Other activities included answering the hotline at WGME and the Volunteer Lawyers.

Victor is survived by his wife, Madeline; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Charles Tarkinson Jr., of Scarborough; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Kit Schlich of Petaluma, Calif; three grandsons, their wives and families, Andrew Tarkinson of Deering, N.H., and Daniel Tarkinson and Chad Tarkinson, both of Portland; two great-granddaughters and many loving friends.

A celebration of his life will be held at North Deering Congregational Church, 1364 Washington Avenue, Portland at 2 p.m., on Thursday, July 8.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
Maine Health Learning Resource
Centers (Parkinson's Disease)
100 US Route 1
Scarborough, Maine 04074

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