Charles H. Dingle

Charles Harlan Dingle age 99 of Riverwoods Drive, Exeter, NH died June 14,2024 after a brief illness. Charles was born on August 31, 1924 in Ottumwa, lowa the son of Moses and Estella Harlan Dingle. He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1942 and served 2 1/2 years in the US Coast Guard during WWIl. After the war he graduated from lowa State University in 1950 with a BS degree in engineering.
He married Beverly Taylor June 8, 1952 in Independence, lowa where he was employed by the US Department of Agriculture (Natural Resource Conservation Service) of 30 years. Charles worked throughout lowa in the early years and was later transferred from Des Moines, lowa to Durham, NH in 1961 where he served in a number of engineering and administrative capacities.
After retirement in 1980, he did some engineering consulting work and in 1983 was elected to the NH State Legislature where he served 3 terms on the Resource Recreation and Development Committee. Charles was a member of the Community Church of Durham for many years and took an active part on a number of committees. He also served on the Board of UNH Campus Ministry. Charles spent 6 years on the Durham Zoning Board of Adjustment and participated in several other town committees related to long term planning. He also participated in a water testing program in the town of Durham. Charles was a life long member of the Mason's Lodge in Ottumwa and a member of the NH Farm Museum for many years and served on the Board for 8 years - two of which were as president.
He enjoyed painting, playing golf, fishing, camping and attending to his yard and flower beds.
Charles survived his wife Beverly, who passed away after 69 wonderful years together. He leaves two loving daughters; Rebecca Brayden and her husband Joe of South Burlington, VT, Sarah Doyle and husband Kevin of Hingham, MA, grandchildren Grace and George Doyle, Ben Brayden and wife Kari, Tom Brayden and wife Jenn as well as 4 great grandchildren Callie, Holden, Gordon and Everett. Charles is also survived by a sister Cyrena Phillips of Issaquah, WA, predeceased sister Eleanor Swanson of Jacksonville, MS, brother-in-law Stan Taylor of Columbia, MO along with a number of nieces and nephews.
Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire Riverwoods Community, the place mom and dad called home for the past 14 years. They became an extension of our family and we are eternally grateful. We would also like to thank the Brookhaven Hospice team for their outstanding support.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 13 at 1:30 PM at the community Church of Durham.
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