Richard Allen Stoehr

Richard Allen Stoehr, age 89, of Center Sandwich, NH passed away peacefully surrounded by his immediate family on December 28th, 2021. Dick was born in Bridgeport, CT, grew up in Trumbull and Nichols, CT, and graduated from Warren Harding High School in 1950. He entered Middlebury College that Fall and left after two years of studies to enlist in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the medical corp as a trained nurse at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He spent an additional two and half years at Fort Dix in NJ, having earned the rank of Sergeant, where he began a parallel career as an Executive in the Boy Scouts of America. Dick then returned to Middlebury College, completing a B.A. with a dual major in Psychology and Sociology, Class of 1958. Dick later attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary obtaining his B.D. in 1968. Dick met his then future wife, Judith Anne Collins, on Cape Cod while serving as Director of Christian Education at her home church, the Federated Church of Orleans. They were married there and settled in Dennis, MA, where he became ordained in the United Church of Christ at the Congregational Church of South Dennis which he served as Pastor for 26 years. There they raised two children, Marna and Garen. Dick and family enjoyed traveling around the country, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, carpentry, spending vacations at their home in Center Sandwich, NH, and cherished time with family and friends. He was actively involved in ecumenical, association and conference activities. Dick was an avid fan of all Boston sports, most especially the Boston Red Sox where, at Fenway Park, he and Judy had their first date. Dick will be fondly remembered for his leadership that reached far beyond the pulpit. He passionately served in all levels of the Boy Scouts of America and worked closely with community leaders to creatively battle the drug crisis and provide outreach to youth on the Cape and Islands. Dick and Judy also fostered teenagers within their home. Dick and Judy moved to Fitchburg, MA in 1990 where he served as the Senior Pastor of the Rollstone Congregational Church. After completing his commitment at Rollstone, he was called to serve in transitional ministry at the Community Church of Pepperell, Pawtucket Congregational Church in Lowell, Ashby Congregational Church, and First Congregational Church of Brimfield. Upon retirement, Dick and Judy moved full-time to their home in Center Sandwich, NH. They were both actively involved in the Community Church of Sandwich. Dick served in many different roles over the years including Moderator, Chair of the Stewardship Committee, member of the Pastoral Staff Relations Committee, and Cleaning Coordinator. Dick worked in Center Sandwich as the caretaker of the Sandwich Historical Society, painting fences, fixing whatever needed fixing and providing general maintenance to the buildings. He also took up new hobbies which included tending his beloved garden, as well as restoring, caning and upholstering furniture. In 2015, Dick was honored for his 50th anniversary of his ordination. Dick is predeceased by his loving wife Judy of 52 years, his mother Alice, father Louis, step-mother Florence, and sister Nancy Dunn. He is survived by his children Garen Stoehr (Anne Joswiak) of St. Paul, MN, Marna Blomberg (John) of Pembroke, MA, his grandchildren: Carter, Emma, Chloe and Adele Stoehr and Julia and Sophia Blomberg, sister-in-law Pam Nicholson of Bernardston, MA, his nieces Shelley Nicholson of Bernardston, MA and Beth (Dan) Johnson of Warwick, MA, his great-nieces Sarah and Natalie and many beloved cousins. The family is filled with gratitude for Concord Hospital - Laconia, Moultonborough Family Medicine, Central New Hampshire VNA as well as their beloved community of Sandwich, NH for the excellent care they provided to Dick and his family during such a challenging time. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 6th at 1pm at the Baptist Meeting House of the Community Church of Sandwich on Church Street in Center Sandwich. Dick's family invites everyone to a reception at the Craft Building on the Sandwich Fairgrounds to be held immediately following the service. Also, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's name to the Community Church of Sandwich, P.O. Box 267; or, to the Sandwich Historical Society, P.O. Box 244 (both of which are in Center Sandwich, NH, 03227); or, to one's favorite charit

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Richard Allen Stoehr

November 7, 1932 - December 28, 2021