Richard "Dick" Rozek

PORTSMOUTH - Richard George (Dick) Rozek, 98, of Portsmouth, N.H. passed peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025 at the Edgewood Center in Portsmouth. Previously, he was a resident at the Inn at Edgewood.

Dick was born July 10, 1927 in Berlin, N.H., the son of Andrew J. and Nellie (Ansara) Rozek. As a young man he had a strong interest in photography and broadcasting. While still a teenager he built a darkroom in his parents' house and got his first job in broadcasting at age 16 playing records and reading the news at a local radio station. In the late 1940s, he attended the University of New Hampshire where he participated in a radio club.

After serving overseas during the Korean conflict in the 1950s, Dick returned to New England to study at the University of Vermont School of Medicine. There he met Rita Gregoire, a neurosurgery nurse. In 1963, they married and settled in Portsmouth, NH, making their home in Elwyn Park.

Dick worked at several radio stations, including WBBX-AM in Portsmouth and WEIM in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and as a correspondent for Associated Press and WMUR-TV. In the '70's he covered the NH Primaries for ABC and WBZ, and interviewed major U.S. presidential candidates through the years. Eventually, he became General Manager of WHEB-AM & FM in Portsmouth, where work felt like family as they made the station a hub of seacoast life and news. Upon retiring from radio, he worked as a financial consultant at Northeast Planning Associates and wrote many opinion editorials for the local paper.

He was a voracious reader, loved having conversations with everyone in town, and had a lifelong passion for photography. As a faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Portsmouth for many years, Dick served on the Vestry, as part of the committee which commissioned the LeTourneau organ, and often read the Prologue to the Gospel of John at Lessons & Carols. Dick's deep, resonant voice was his signature trait, along with his gentle manner and extraordinary kindness towards everyone. He truly cared about the human condition and used his gifts and forward thinking to make the world a better place. Dick will be remembered for his profound wisdom, ability to listen compassionately, and steadfast devotion to his family. Dick and Rita lived life with joy, and Dick lovingly cared for Rita in her final years until her passing in 2020.

Dick is survived by his daughter Tamara Rozek (Owen Watkins); son Richard A. Rozek; son Peter Rozek (Lauri Rozek); daughter Kerri Grant (Chuck Goeller), and son James St. Pierre (Jeff Pidot); grandchildren Kylie Grant, Rhianwen Watkins, Cameron Sowers, Matthew Sowers (Kateryna Slobodian-Sowers), Nicholas Sowers (Jocelyn Mitchell), Jamien St. Pierre, and Jaaron Shaw; great-grandchildren Leon Sowers and Luka Sowers; sister-in-law Ann Gregoire; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Nellie Rozek; his brothers Louis Rozek and Joseph Rozek; and Rita Rozek, his beloved wife of 57 years.

SERVICES: A memorial service for Dick and Rita will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 11 am at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel St., Portsmouth, N.H., followed by a reception next door in Thaxter Hall. The service will also be live-streamed Click here to go to the live-stream. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel, Portsmouth, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's memory to St. John's Episcopal Church Common Table or The Inn at Edgewood at 936 South St. Portsmouth NH 03801. To share memories or condolences, visit www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com.

A Celebration of the Life of Richard and Rita Rozek | Friday, August 15, 11:00am