Henry Earl Vittum

Dr. Henry Vittum Ph.D On June 8th 2016, Henry E. Vittum, 93 from Laconia, a retired professor at Plymouth State University, died at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Home after a period of declining health. Dr. Vittum was married to his beloved with, Ethel (Teissmond) who died in 1987. Dr. Vittum was born in Laconia, NH on August 2, 1922 to Edwin, Sr. and Zilla (Tilton, Vittum) Bartlett. He was a gradate of Laconia High School, the class of 1940. Following high school, Henry attended Plymouth Teachers' College to continue his education, but was disrupted when he joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and fought in the China-Burma-India (CBI) campaign during WWII. Upon completing four years in the service and returning from the war, Dr. Vittum continued his education at Tufts University, Rutgers, and completed his PhD at New York University. His life was dedicated to education for 46 years. Dr. Vittum began teaching at Goffstown High School (NH), followed by New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Rutgers University, but 34 years of of his career were spent as a professor teaching his area of expertise, English Literature, including years as Chairman of the English Department at the present Plymouth State University. Not only did he have a lasting impression on future teachers and others he taught at the college, as well as faculty, but he was extremely instrumental in the many changes that took place from the days of then Plymouth Teachers' College to the now PSU. Dr. Vittum retired from PSU in 1998. Dr. Vittum was the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions as a member of many professional organizations, but he would prefer to be remembered for his involvement in a variety of community activities. He was active in the following, a member of the Plymouth Methodist Church, as well as a teacher of adult bible study classes a volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity a member of the American Cancer Society a singer in the Pemi Choral Society for 27 years, giving Christmas readings of Dickens' "Christmas Carol" for the public Dr. Vittum was noted for his love of traveling, as he did so extensively. His trips to distant lands of Europe and Asia, as well as those in America, did a great deal to enhance his effectiveness as a scholar and teacher. Dr. Vittum was predeceased by four siblings: Mae Marshall, Doris Foster, Ethel Eastwood, and Edwin Vittum, Jr. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Zilla M. Legassie, Jonas Eastwood and Kevin S. Eastwood, as well as a special friend, A. Patricia Harlow of Thomaston, CT. Dr. Vittum's life will be celebrated with a memorial service held at the Plymouth Methodist Church in Plymouth, NH on Saturday June 18th at 10:00 am. The service will be officiated by Deacon Gail Kertland of Islip, NY. BY his request, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.

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Henry Earl Vittum

August 2, 1922 - June 8, 2016