Richard Eastman '52

Richard Loren Eastman (born July 28, 1934) passed away peacefully at home on Sept 8, 2024. Born in Chatham, N.H., he was the son of Everett and Carrie Eastman. He had six siblings (Everett, Norman, Nelson, Dorothy, Frank and Charles). He attended a one-room school house in Chatham and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1952.

Richard was a man of service. To his country, his family, his state and the community. He began his 41-year career with the N.H., Highway Department in 1953 as a laborer, and served in the U.S. Army from 1959-63. He was stationed in France and Germany while on active duty and received training in refrigeration.

As a young man, he enjoyed going to dances. That’s where he met the love of his life, Lauretta. His singing of the “Wabash Cannonball” must have been something special because they married in 1964, built a house together in South Chatham and had three sons.

Richard had a love of farming and cattle. In 1974, they purchased a small farm in North Chatham, where in addition to his employment with the state, he kept a small herd of cattle. Later on, when his son captured a pig at the Fryeburg Fair, he added pigs to the farm. There was always work to be done, and he was always up early to start doing it.

He retired from the state in 1993, but he didn’t slow down. He then started his own business, “Have Tractor Will Travel,” mowing roadsides and fields. He was hired by several towns and individuals through the years. He also spent many hours in his woodpile and built his own custom wood splitter because the consumer models didn’t suit him. In addition, he volunteered for Fryeburg Rescue for many years. He especially enjoyed talking to people and it seemed that he knew everyone or they knew him. There was always a story to tell and the Stow Corner Store probably sold him as many coffees and donuts as anyone. He was not one to rush, as anyone that had the misfortune of being stuck behind him in traffic knows, but he did get pulled over once. He passed someone he wanted to talk to who was going in the opposite direction. He turned around and tried to chase them down until the Fryeburg police pulled him over.

Richard is predeceased by his brothers Everett, Norman, Nelson and Charles, his sister Dorothy and grandson Kenneth. He is survived by his loving wife Lauretta of 59 years, sons Dale, Russell (married to Sarah), Blair (married to Michelle), and his brother Frank. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, a great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests a donation to Fryeburg Rescue or Saco Valley Fire Association in his honor. The family would like to thank the Visiting Nurse Homecare and Hospice of Carroll County, the Veterans Administration and others who helped care for Dad for the last 10 months.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Oct 12 (1-6 p.m.) at the family farm for anyone that would like to stop by and share a memory or story. It will be casual potluck style. That’s the way Dad would have wanted it.