Bert Maxfield

WARREN — Bert "Red" Evan Maxfield, of Warren, Maine, passed away on November 10, 2026, at Breakwater Commons in Rockland.

He was born October 2, 1939, in Mayfield, Utah, to Evan Devoil Maxfield and Bernice Willden. The day after his 17th birthday in 1956, with written permission from his father, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Red spent 20 years in the Navy, serving in a variety of assignments—most notably aboard the USS Cony, USS Norfolk, USS Waller, USS Norris, and USS Regulus, with River Division 543 in Vietnam, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. From September 1974 until his retirement on July 16, 1976, he was assigned to the Fire Control Section (Guns) and served as Ship Superintendent for the USS Ranger, USS Coral Sea, and USS Enterprise.

Throughout his Navy career, he received numerous medals, awards, and commendations: the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device (2 awards) for Heroic Achievement and Meritorious Service from November 1969 to November 1970, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (4 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Rifle Marksman, Pistol Marksman with Expert Device, Vietnam Service Medal (5 awards), River Division Patrol Officer Insignia, and River Patrol Boat Captain Insignia.

After retiring in 1976, he moved his family to Charleston, Utah, where he lived and worked until moving to Maine with his wife, Ruth, in the summer of 1990.

Once in Maine, Red started his own handyman business, "At Your Service," which flourished. During that time, Ruth also started her own business, "Aunt Polly's Pantry," canning garden produce and baking goods to sell at the farmers' market. Red spent countless hours helping with her business, and he also enjoyed gardening and woodworking.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Rowling Maxfield; his sister, Judy Ann Holfeltz; and his son-in-law, Scott Bippes.

Surviving are his daughters, Bonnie Bippes of Waldoboro, Maine, and Marcia (Steve) Crippen of Camden, Maine; and his grandchildren, Christopher (Susan) Crippen of Seymour, Texas, Cassandra Crippen of Camden, Maine, and Conner Bippes of Brooklyn, New York.

No service will be held in Maine. Red will be buried with an honor guard at the Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah, on November 23, 2026.

To share a memory, photo, or condolence, please visit his remembrance page at bchfh.com.