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BORN
1933
DIED
2021
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Richard Blodgett Obituary
Richard Kemp Blodgett
May 22, 1933 - Apr. 20, 2021
AUBURN - Richard Kemp Blodgett, age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Kendal At Hanover in Hanover, NH. Dick was born in Auburn, NY on May 22, 1933 to Helen Kemp and Loyal Blodgett.
He was raised in Auburn, graduated from Auburn East High School in 1951 as Salutatorian and received a scholarship to attend Dartmouth College. Dick graduated Phi Beta Kappa with the Class of 1955 and received his M.B.A from Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School in 1956. While at Dartmouth, he participated in the marching band, the Dartmouth Outing Club and ROTC. During retirement he was an active member in the Class of 1955 alumni group, serving for many years as Class Secretary and later as Vice President. He also led fund-raising for his Tuck School class.
Dick had the great fortune of meeting his future wife Ruth Emerson when home in Auburn during the summer of 1953. They married in 1957. Shortly thereafter Dick completed his basic Army training in Maryland and started his career in finance for IBM in Endicott, NY. His career with IBM spanned 33 years and took him and his family to White Plains, NY, Armonk, NY, San Jose, CA, Poughkeepsie, NY, Rocky Hill, NJ, Wilton, CT, and London, England. Upon retirement, for the following decade he partnered with several other IBM retirees as consultants to the City of New York and a number of small, private businesses.
Dick and Ruth owned a home in Wilton, CT for 31 years and were active members of the Wilton Congregational Church. Dick also volunteered with the Wilton Library Association, served on the Wilton public school system's school building committee and also on the Board of Directors of the Mountain Grove Cemetery Association in Bridgeport, CT. Dick was interested in genealogy and joined the Sons of the American Revolution and Founders and Patriots of the American Revolution during his retirement.
New Hampshire was always a favorite destination. Dick and Ruth purchased a summer cottage on Mascoma Lake in Enfield, NH in 1966, spending as much time as they could there every year. Dick enjoyed maintaining a large flower and vegetable garden, spending time fishing and boating and following the Boston Red Sox. They moved to Hanover full time in 1999 and joined the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College where Dick sang in the choir. Dick also became involved with the Upper Valley United Way (now Granite United Way), the Upper Valley chorus, the Shaker Museum in Enfield, NH and the Hanover Hostel (now Maynard House). Dick and Ruth enjoyed traveling extensively throughout Dick's retirement, attending Dartmouth reunions and gatherings with long-time friends from Auburn and IBM.
Dick will be remembered for his kindness, his generous volunteering and his warm smile. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth (Emerson) Blodgett; daughters: Susan Russell and her husband James Russell of Cambridge, MA, and Karen Blodgett of San Francisco, CA.; grandsons: John Russell of Belmont, MA and Thomas Russell of West Lafayette, IN.; and nephews: John Blodgett of Clarendon Hills, IL, Stuart Blodgett of Newark, NY, and Bruce Blodgett of Auburn, NY. He was predeceased by his brother, John "Jack" Blodgett of Newark, NY.
There will be a private graveside service for family members over the summer. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Granite United Way or the American Heart Association. An online guestbook is available to leave Dick's family a message of condolence by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Blodgett
Sponsored by Ricker Funeral Homes & Crematory - Lebanon.
Ann Newton
May 10, 2021
Dear Ruth, Susan and Karen. We have many good memories of you as neighbors, church and choir members and visits with Ruth M. to see operas at Dartmouth. Please accept Jim and my condolences. Dick was a good man and made the world a better place.
Sandy Haynes
May 7, 2021
I have a strong memory of looking out my kitchen window and seeing Dick riding on his mower tending to his lawn on Mascoma Lake. I know how much he enjoyed his home on the Lake, and he was a super nice neighbor. He was very kind, patient, and tolerant of all the noise from kids, dogs and boats that evolved at our house over the years during summers at the lake. My deepest sympathy to Ruth, Karen and Susan.
American Heart Association
May 4, 2021
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
Howard Shaffer
May 3, 2021
A kind and generous man. Richard helped me when I needed a ride to New York City. He took me to his home in CT, hosted me overnight, and took me to the train in the morning.
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Jim Bednar
May 1, 2021
I was surprised to see Dick's obituary in the Valley News as I only knew him from Wilton CT. I am the son of the Wilton Congregational Church minister Dr. Zdenek Bednar who I know greatly appreciated Dick's dedicated support of the church. I remember Dick stopping by the parsonage often to talk with Dad about church business. I was in college at the time but when I visited Wilton I remember how Dick would always make me feel welcome in the church. I remember his soft smile and caring voice. Dick was a good friend of my parents. My sincere condolences.
Becky Powell
April 29, 2021
Ruth, my condolences to you and your family on the loss of Dick. Although I knew of his involvement in other good causes, I especially appreciated his enthusiastic, ongoing support of the Enfield Shaker Museum. My heart goes out to you, and my wishes for peace and healing.
Jim Tonkovich
April 28, 2021
I always appreciated my years working with Dick on the United Way board, and now I will treasure them. His kindness, dedication, and his friendship will have a special place. My thoughts are with you, Ruth, and with your family. "Another one of the good guys gone."
Dolores Struckhoff
April 28, 2021
I had the pleasure of working with Dick during my involvement at the Enfield Shaker Museum. Both on the Board and as the Executive Director. He always stood out as a great supporter of causes he believed in. My condolences to Ruth and his family.
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