Richard Hill '49

Dick Hill passed away peacefully on November 22, 2024. He was born in North Conway, NH, on June 14, 1931. Throughout his life, Dick recounted tales of all he learned from his upbringing in rural Chatham, NH. A “country boy,” as he liked to say, he attended Fryeburg Academy in Maine and was able to board there, instead of being a day student, thanks to his younger brother Ron’s negotiation with the headmaster. The brothers later served for their country, Dick in the Navy, which helped pay for a degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire, Durham.

Dick met Nancy Nelson, from Concord, NH, and they married and raised six girls in a farmhouse with field and pasture in the city’s south end. He raised his girls with many of the values he grew up with — doing chores, being held accountable, playing games, having a good laugh, and being thankful for family and friends.

As the head of Stewart Nelson insurance company, he grew from a shy young man into a wise and sensitive leader. When he came home from work, he’d hang his hat and coat, change into jeans, a button-down Oxford, and work boots, then enjoy a Jack Daniels, Triscuits, and sharp cheddar. Dick loved to tinker in the barn and yard. He enjoyed chopping wood and rototilling neighbor’s gardens with his Gravely tractor.

Dick loved to recount all the places that he traveled while in the Navy. When his daughters were grown, Dick satisfied his “wanderlust” by traveling with his cousin Bill Pitman. They traveled through the Provinces of Canada and to Alaska and sometimes they showed up out of the blue at his daughters’ homes for an “Uncle Vern” visit — a brief visit in the midst of travel. There was no need to clean the house or prepare a meal, you simply enjoyed each other’s company for those moments in time.

He had 11 grandchildren and all of them learned his infamous string trick, trivia, and words to expand their vocabulary. He kept a dictionary in the kitchen and in his truck.

Dick thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 1988, which inspired his license plate AT8, and led to many years providing trail info at the AMC in Pinkham Notch, NH. He was also a member of Rotary for many years.

Dick loved to learn and laugh. He was a vibrant soul and people of all ages enjoyed his company. In his 90s, he maintained his wit, amazing long-term memory, and eagerness to socialize. He thrived at Whitaker Place in Penacook, NH, with a supportive community of staff and friends.

He is survived by his daughters and their partners; Pam and Ed Sampadian of Concord, NH; Wendy and Rick Flanders of Pocono Pines, PA; Tracy Hill and Cathy Gore of Portland, ME; Gretchen and Ed Bradley of North Conway, NH; Heidi Hill and Tom Thurston of Waterbury, VT; his eleven grandchildren: Ashley Centeno, Lindsey Donohue, Alex Flanders, Gretchen Pereira, Emily Sagris, Chelsea Sampadian, Hannah Sampadian, Kieffer and Zachary Bradley, and Ava and Julia Thurston.

He is predeceased by his daughter Jamie Nelson Hill Garman; brother Ron Hill; sisters Anne Htoo, Jane Hill, Dodo Knight; and cousin Bill Pitman.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time when family and friends can get together. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fryeburg Academy. Arrangements are under the care of the Wood Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 9 Warren St Fryeburg ME. To make an online condolence please visit www.woodfuneralhome.org