Theodore R. Ackman

Theodore R. Ackman (a.k.a. Ted) was 89 years old when he died peacefully at home in Dover, NH on Monday, March 17, 2025, following a period of declining health. He was born in Cheyenne, WY September 1935 to Viola Bates. He and his two younger sisters, Hazel and LoRee were raised by their mom and dad (his stepdad - Joseph DeMarco). Joseph worked for United Airlines which fostered Ted's interest in planes and propelled him to enlist in the US Air Force in 1954 rather than accepting a full scholarship in music at TX A&M. Most of his 26-year career in the Air Force was spent doing jobs he loved, especially working with the KC135 and FB111 Flight Simulators while stationed at Pease A.F.B. in NH. But before all of that, he had met his sweet Caroline through correspondence at first, then in person, and shortly after that, they married in Del Rio, TX in 1957. They had two boys and a girl. He was stationed at several locations, including Ramie A.F.B. in Puerto Rico, but NH became their home and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newington, NH became their extended family for years. Ted and Caroline had a full life together enjoying all of God's creation, traveling, camping and capturing beauty and events through the eye of a camera lens. They ran the Photo Hobby Shop together at Pease for years. Just before Ted's retirement from the Air Force, they bought a house in Dover and lived there since 1977. Continuing his love of photography, he worked at the Photosmith for a decade. Then, he and Caroline worked together for a local company that made clocks. He always liked to see how things worked and was able to fix and repair almost anything. He also loved the advancing technology of computers and video cameras and volunteered to work at LOVE radio station, hosting a segment called Love Notes. A few years after moving to Dover, he and Caroline became members of Emmanuel Advent Christian Church in Rochester where they both joyfully served their extended family for decades. He was able to use many of his skills & talents to bless the congregation whether it was singing & acting, recording & editing Sunday services, making coffee & serving breakfast, or blowing the shofar and praying in advance of a church service. His love for the Lord, learning Hebrew, and love for the body of Christ was contagious and if you asked him how he was doing, part of his reply was always, "It is well with my soul".
He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Caroline (Schwab) Ackman and his two sons, Theodore R. Ackman, Jr. and Steven D. Ackman. Survivors include their daughter, Cheryl Rudolph and her husband, Mike; and Steven's widow Deborah Ackman. Grandchildren from oldest to youngest are Beth Sargent, Melinda Wiens, Christopher Rudolph and Elisa Zoller. They have five great grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Emmanuel Advent Christian Church in Rochester, NH on Saturday, April 12th at 2pm.
A private interment will be in the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen at a later date.