Lt. Col. Frederick C. Aldrich Ret.

1924 - 2018

Lebanon, NH --Frederick C. Aldrich died October 20, 2018 at the age of 94. He was born September 30, 1924, the son of Cecil Gerald Aldrich and Marion Carrie (Smith) Aldrich. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1942 and joined the United States Army Air Corps in November 1942. He graduated from Keene State College in 1949 and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Vermont in 1959.

During World War II he flew a full tour of combat missions as a radio operator and gunner on a lead B-24 Bomber crew with the 448th Group of the 8th Air Corps and was part of the D-Day invasion. He was Commissioned in 1948 and remained active in the US Air Force reserve program. He taught school in Meriden, New Hampshire, from 1949-51 after which he was recalled to active duty by the US Air Force in 1951. He retired from the US Air Force in September 1969 after 22 years of active and 3 years reserve duty with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was stationed in several states and three foreign countries. His duties were many and varied at base and major command levels with a special tour at the Pentagon.

His favorite assignment was the ROTC program at the University of Vermont where he was an Assistant Professor of Air Science and Commandant of Cadets at from 1954-59. It was during this tour that he authored three publications: Leadership Laboratory Techniques, published by the Air University1958, Handbook for Vermont School Board Directors and Applying the Principles of management to the Operation of Public Schools. During his military career he was awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the European Theater of Operations Medal with four bronze campaign stars, and other service medals.

Following retirement from the US Air Force he worked as an instructor with the training Dept. at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center from which he resigned in 1971 when elected to the Lebanon City Council. He served as Lebanon’s Mayor during 1972-73. In 1974 he served as President of the Lebanon’s Taxpayer’s Association. In 1975 he was elected to NH House of Representatives in which he served two terms. In 1981, he was elected and served as chairman of Lebanon Charter Change Commission.

His first priority in life was his family. He was an “Olde Tyme” fiddle player, a tradition in his family. He enjoyed refinishing furniture, maintaining his home and land, and helping to coach local youth sport teams. He spent many years researching his and his wife’s genealogies, and he was a member of the American Legion and the Retired Officers Association.

Fred was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Margaret R (Nolet) Aldrich and his sister Elaine Aldrich Chadwick.

He is survived by his loving partner of 8 years Arlene Arnold; and his son Jon Gerald Aldrich (Peggy) of Grantham, NH; his son Mark Frederick Aldrich (Connie) of Lebanon, NH; and his brother Forrest Aldrich (Pam Gillis) of Orford, NH. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Jonathan Aldrich (Jackie) of Windham, NH; Molly Aldrich Wintrow (Zach) of Tewksbury, MA; and Mary Aldrich (Luis Mercado) of Los Angeles, CA. He also leaves 4 great grandchildren Dylan, Alexander and Hayden Aldrich and Miles Wintrow.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Hanover Terrace and Bayada Hospice for the special care they provided to Fred in the last month of his life.

Calling hours will be at Ricker’s Funeral Home in Lebanon on Thursday, October 25th from 12noon to 1:30pm. Followed by a private burial with Military Honors.