Richard Batchelder

Richard Batchelder of Tilton passed away May 1, 2007 at Lakes Region General Hospital with family by his side. He was born in South Hadley, Massachusetts on August 16, 1924. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1941 and was part of the champion Sachem football team of 1941. Following high school, he served with the Navy as a gunnery instructor during World War II. He also served during the Korean war. Under an apprenticeship program at Laconia Malleable Iron, he learned his trade as a pattern maker and achieved Master pattern maker status. He ran his business, Batchelder Industrial Tooling, for over 40 years. His shop did work for NASA and the early years of the space program, as well as designing and producing parts for the Patriot Missile. He also taught courses in his field at MIT. Before retiring, he was a consultant to the pattern shop at Webster Valve.

In his life he was a devoted husband and father. He was a gentle soul filled with kindness. He enjoyed golf and for many years, played at many golf courses in the surrounding area. He was the second person to join Den Brae Golf course where he played most of his adult life. He was named Sportsman of the Year at Pheasant Ridge Golf Club in the Industrial League, an honor that he held close to him.

Richard was also an active Ham Radio Operator, and taught courses in Laconia. He had a love of music and taught himself to play the violin after his retirement. He was a member of the Strathsbey and Reel Society for many years.

Richard had served the community of Tilton over the years on various committees such as the Zoning Board of Adjustment for twelve years, the Town Recreation Committee, the local Boy Scouts Committee and was an Emergency Coordinator for Belknap County as well as a spokesperson on various environmental issues concerning Tilton and the surrounding areas. The 1997 Annual Report of Tilton was dedicated to him by the Selectmen and the Town. He had also served as a Corporator for Citizens Bank in Tilton, a trustee for the Robert Segdley Trust, and as a Trustee and Deacon at the Northfield-Tilton Congregational Church where he was a member since the early 1950’s.
He is survived by his children Bonita Favorite of Franklin and her husband George, his son Bruce of Tilton and his wife Sherry, and his daughter Barbara Gibbs of Alton Bay, and her husband Walter. He also has a sister Shirley Boyd from Peach Tree City, Georgia, 8 grand children, 12 great grand children, and a very close friend June Geary of Boscowen. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Beverly Dora (Johnson), and his wife Norma Wiggins, as well as 4 sisters and one brother.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May12, 2007 at 11:00 am at The Northfield-Tilton Congregational Church, 193 Main St., Tilton, NH. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Tilton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Batchelder may be made to Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 1236 Ginger Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., 23453. Paquette-Neun Funeral Home, 104 Park St., Northfield is in charge of arrangements. For information and an online guestbook, please visit www.neunfuneralhomes.com