ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: David R. Hastings, III '68 Receives 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award

David R. Hastings III, a member of Fryeburg Academy’s Class of 1968, has distinguished himself through decades of professional excellence, public service, and unwavering commitment to the Mount Washington Valley community and to Fryeburg Academy itself.

During his time at Fryeburg Academy, David was deeply involved in school life. He participated in football for four years, baseball for three years, and skiing for four years, including as a member of the 1967 state championship ski team. He also served on Student Council for three years and was inducted into the National Honor Society. At graduation, David received the prestigious Gibson Memorial Medal, the Academy’s highest honor awarded to a graduating senior.

Following graduation from Fryeburg Academy, David attended Bowdoin College and later earned his law degree from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. He was admitted to practice law in New Hampshire in 1975 and earned the highest score on the Maine Bar Exam shortly thereafter.

In 1976, David joined Hastings Law Office, P.A. as the fifth generation of the Hastings family to practice in the firm. Over nearly five decades, he has built a respected legal career focused on estate planning, probate practice, residential and commercial real estate transactions, small-business representation, and business formation and sales. Admired not only for his legal expertise but also for his integrity and wisdom, David has earned the trust and friendship of generations of clients throughout western Maine and northern New Hampshire.

David’s commitment to service extends far beyond his law practice. He served for more than twenty years as a Director of the Eastern Slope Airport Authority, many of those years as chairman. He also served eight years on the Maine SAD 72 School Board and later dedicated twelve years as a Trustee of Fryeburg Academy.

A lifelong supporter of one of Maine’s most iconic institutions, David has been involved with the Fryeburg Fair since 1976. Over more than fifty years of leadership and service, he has helped guide the Fair’s continued growth and success and currently serves as its President and as a member of the Financial Committee.

From 2004 to 2012, David represented southern Oxford County and western Cumberland County in the Maine State Senate, serving four terms. During his tenure, he served on the Judiciary Committee for all eight years and was appointed Senate Chair in his final term. He also chaired the Right to Know Advisory Committee, reflecting his longstanding commitment to transparency, thoughtful governance, and public service.

David and his wife, Carol, a retired third-grade teacher, reside in Fryeburg. In his free time, David enjoys golf, fly fishing, and skiing.

In recognition of his professional accomplishments, leadership, and dedication to his community, Fryeburg Academy proudly honors David R. Hastings III as a recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.