New London, NH: Richard Hoyt Chapin, "Hoyt" to those whom he knew, died at his home in New London, NH, on July 16th with his family by his side.
Born in May 1933, the son of the late Dr. Walter Coolidge Chapin and Helen Hoyt Chapin, Hoyt grew up in New Rochelle, NY, and spent his summers in Northfield, MA, where he met his beloved wife of sixty years, Marybelle C. Chapin. Their daughters, Sarah and Deborah, and son Walter were raised in Pound Ridge and Bedford, NY. Hoyt attended The Hill School in Pottstown, PA, and Wesleyan University, in Middletown, CT – where he made life-long friends – and Columbia University School of Business in New York, NY.
Hoyt is survived by his immediate family, and daughter-in-law Christine Foster Chapin, grandchildren Alexander Chapin, Benjamin Chapin and Thalia Neebe; niece Helene Haldimann Balaz and family of Austria and nephew Richard Haldimann and family of Switzerland; first cousins Edith Hoyt Garrett and family of Baltimore, MD, and Edward Hoyt and family, also of New London. Hoyt's sister, Ramona Chapin Haldimann of Switzerland, predeceased him last year.
Hoyt began his career in home furnishings at Bloomingdale's and Dansk International Designs and spent the majority of his work life in retail as owner and President of the Pottery Barn Inc., until he retired. His forward thinking, creative and entrepreneurial approach championed "good contemporary design at a great price."
Upon retiring to New London and Vero Beach, FL, Hoyt remained involved in several business adventures including the creation of two developments – Browns Hill and the Georges Mills Boat Club – in Sunapee, NH, and consulted to Mesa International in Warner, NH. Hoyt was an active member of the New London community including being a director of the Little Sunapee Protective Association, New London Hospital, and the Kearsarge Council on Aging (COA), among others.
In recent years, Hoyt cherished spending time with family and connecting with friends far and wide. A deeply generous and immensely kind gentleman, he touched many people with his inclusive, inspirational and enthusiastic spirit. He mentored many people he met, taking particular interest in the hard working and curious, encouraging them to achieve as much as they could and to live life to the fullest, as he did right to the end of his life. He has taught each of us so much and he will be missed greatly; thankfully, he will live on in our hearts forever.
Relatives and friends will gather in celebration of Hoyt Chapin's life at 11:00 A.M. on August 15, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of New London, 461 Main Street, New London, NH. A private burial is planned for family only for late July in the New London West Part Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the New London Hospital, 273 County Rd, New London, NH 03257.
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