Peterborough Rotary Past Presidents 1975-2020
2018-2020
Robert S. MacDonald
Consultant, Nubanusit Strategic Consulting
Robert “Bob” S. MacDonald was born and grew up on the South Shore of Long Island. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering while rowing crew for four years.
MacDonald spent three years designing business computers until his draft board noted a lapse in his critical industries deferment and was about to draft him into the US Army during the interval without congressional approval of the draft. He opted, instead, to join the US Air Force as a navigator and enjoyed flying enough to continue flying in the Air Force Reserves for another sixteen years after completing six years of active duty in C-130 transports flying all over the world.
2017-2018
Steve Kim
Monadnock Financial
Steve Kim is a Financial Advisor and the founder of Monadnock Financial, LLC. From his start on the PHLX Currency Options Floor in Philadelphia, his career in finance has spanned the world’s leading financial centers, including New York City, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. Steve has worked with some of the most successful private and public asset managers, mutual funds, hedge funds, and commercial banks. With over 25 years of global financial market experience, he helps clients successfully navigate the complexities of Wall Street.
Steve earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Drexel University and an MBA from the University of Iowa’s Henry B. Tippie College of Business. He lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and teenage son, and is a member of the Peterborough Rotary Club and the Milford United Methodist Church. He enjoys travel, hiking, golf, and running.
2016-2017
Kim Varney Chandler
Director of School Counseling, ConVal High School
Kim Varney Chandler has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Arts degree in counseling, both from the University of New Hampshire. After six years as a school counselor at Timberlane High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, Chandler relocated to Virginia where she worked as a school counselor and director at Gloucester High School. Chandler was selected as the Virginia School Counseling Supervisor of the Year in 2010 and served as president of the Peninsula Counselor Association. She received the Outstanding Youth Advocate Award in 2004. Chandler was hired as the School Counseling Director at ConVal in 2012. She is a trained RENEW facilitator and leads ConVal High School in suicide prevention and assessment and is a member of the ConVal Substance Use Coalition.
Chandler joined Rotary in 2012. She served as the chair of the Operation Santa Committee from 2013-2019 and was a member of the Teacher of the Year and Pancake Breakfast committees. She is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 2007 and has been the recipient of several National DAR awards including Volunteer Information Specialist of the Year for New Hampshire in 2015. Chandler served on the Board of the ConVal Community Scholarship Dollars for Scholars from 2012-2014 and was a Board member of Monadnock at Home from 2015-2018. Chandler is an amateur genealogist, website designer, and photographer. She lives in Hancock with her husband, Marshell, and her Certified Therapy dog, Pemi.
2015-2016
Cole Royal
Network Administrator, Town of Peterborough
Cole Royal was born and raised in York, Maine, to David and Gloria Royal. He attended York’s public schools, with a break during freshman and sophomore years when he was awarded a scholarship to pursue a promising baseball career. A sports injury ended that dream. Royal attended Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, for his freshman year and then transferred to Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts, to study economics-finance during sophomore and junior years. Royal made the decision to take a break from Bentley College to go into the world and find his passion.
Royal entered the work force as a sales representative for PC Connection, Inc., then moved to technical and sales support. He discovered his passion following the transition to the IT client services team at PC Connection, Inc. Royal then went on to become IT director for SoftLanding Systems, Inc. in Peterborough before acquiring Compucare, Inc., a 20-year- old computer repair business located in Peterborough. He transformed the business from a small repair operation to a successful IT services business which focused on supporting small business’ IT needs within the Monadnock region. In addition to IT consulting, Royal now serves as the network administrator for the town of Peterborough.
Royal entered the work force as a sales representative for PC Connection, Inc., then moved to technical and sales support. He discovered his passion following the transition to the IT client services team at PC Connection, Inc. Royal then went on to become IT director for SoftLanding Systems, Inc. in Peterborough before acquiring Compucare, Inc., a 20-year- old computer repair business located in Peterborough. He transformed the business from a small repair operation to a successful IT services business which focused on supporting small business’ IT needs within the Monadnock region. In addition to IT consulting, Royal now serves as the network administrator for the town of Peterborough.
Royal was invited to join the Peterborough Rotary Club in August 2007. He served as vice-president from 2013-2014, then as president from 2014-2015. He has chaired the Membership Committee during 2015-2016 and has also taken on the role of the Peterborough Club’s Youth Exchange Officer since 2015. In 2015, Royal was nominated to become a RLI Facilitator and has facilitated NEPETS two sessions. Most recently, he began his three term as Assistant Governor for Area 2 (Bedford, Derry, Derry Village, Manchester, Queen-City Manchester, Raymond Area).
Royal and his wife, Panna, have two children. They have lived in Swanzey, New Hampshire, since 2001 but have lived in the Monadnock region since 1996.
Royal and his wife, Panna, have two children. They have lived in Swanzey, New Hampshire, since 2001 but have lived in the Monadnock region since 1996.
2014
Roy Schleiben
Owner, RAS Development
Roy Schleiben holds a BS in Biology from Hobart and William Smith College and an MA in International Affairs from The George Washington University. Schleiben provides non-profit organizations around the world with expert fundraising and communications support. As a grant-writer, he helps non-profits of all sizes grow and thrive. He is experienced in developing a fundraising strategy, identifying funders and crafting well written applications.
Schleiben is also director of the Peterborough MAxT Makerspace.
2013-2014
Pam Brenner
Town Administrator, Peterborough
Pam Brenner was the town administrator for the town of Peterborough for over twenty years. In that capacity she served as its chief executive officer and oversaw the management of all municipal operations including water and wastewater utilities. Prior to that appointment she served as town manager in Lancaster, New Hampshire and town administrator in Alton, New Hampshire.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Granite State College of Concord, New Hampshire, and a Master’s degree in business Administration from Franklin Pierce College.
Brenner was a member of the New Hampshire Municipal Management Association, holding the position on the Executive Board from 1992 – 1999 and serving as president from 1997 – 1998. Additionally, she was a member of the International City Management Association serving in the capacity of regional northeast vice president from 2002 – 2005. She was an associate in Leadership New Hampshire Class of 1994/1995. She served on the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1996 -2001 holding the office of president in 2001. She was a recipient of the 2009 Business Leader of the Year, given by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.
She is married with two grown children and four grandchildren.
2011-2013
Dennis Allen
CEO, Emax Medical Billing
2011
Sharon Cargill
Realtor
2010-2011
Patrick Foley
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Patrick Foley is a Certified Financial Planner and worked for Edward Jones as a top producing financial advisor for 13 years. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he was the Paper Mill Manager at Monadnock Paper Mill for 5 years and worked at International Paper Company for 7 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from University of Massachusetts at Lowell and his MBA from Regis University.
Foley is past president of the Peterborough Rotary Club and past member of the Peterborough Budget Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Monadnock Indoor Tennis Club and the Monadnock Worksource. Rotary was always a top priority for Foley and he was always very proud to be part of the organization. He lives in Peterborough with his wife, Lisa. They have two grown daughters, Taylor and Megan.
2009-2010
Laura Gingras
Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Relations, Monadnock Community Hospital
Laura Gingras is the Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Relations at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough. She earned her undergraduate degree in accounting and holds a CPA designation. Gingras also holds a Master's degree in management from Emmanuel College. She has worked in the healthcare industry for 19 years and has been with Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, New Hampshire since 2000.
Gingras is past president of the Peterborough Rotary Club and past chair of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She currently serves on the board of The River Center, and several area advisory committees, including Monadnock at Home. Gingras loves all things Rotary, especially the Pancake Breakfast. Gingras lives in Peterborough with her husband David Fish, and her three cats. They have three adult daughters.
2008-2009
Jeff King
Recreation Director, Town of Peterborough
Jeff King has been a member of Rotary since 1997 when he joined the Marblehead Rotary Club under the classification of Municipal Recreation. King transferred to the Peterborough Rotary Club in May of 2003. Since, he has served in a variety of capacities, including as President of the Club from 2008-2009 and for many years chaired the Operation Santa Program, coordinating holiday gift giving for local families.
He was the ConVal Rotary Interact Advisor from 2011 to the fall of 2017. The students shared that he gave tirelessly of his time supporting them in whatever endeavor they chose; from roadside clean up, food drives, musical chairs, clothing drives, Operation Santa, service trips, and End 68 Hours of Hunger.
King is visible at all Rotary events and supports the Pancake Breakfast every year along with his beloved Boy Scouts.
King was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in his youth, earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1988. He remains deeply involved in the Boy Scouts as an adult. He has been a Scout leader since 2010 and served six consecutive years as the Cubmaster of Pack 8. He was recognized as Cubmaster of the Year for the southwestern NH Mount Monadnock District in 2013 and 2018, and the Peterborough Recreation Department was recognized as the Scouting Charter Organization of the Year in both 2016 and 2017.
King has been coaching youth hockey every year since 2006 and has coached at all youth hockey levels. In 2014, he was presented with the HYHA Coach of the Year award. At Divine Mercy Parish, Jeff is an usher and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus.
King has been the director of the Peterborough Recreation Department for fifteen years. In 2014, the NH Rec and Park Association presented him with the "Wink" Tapply Award for his outstanding service as Recreation Director.
2007-2008
Barbara Miller
Owner, Personnel Dimension, Inc. and Grant Writing Resources, Inc.
Barbara Miller is president of the Personnel Dimension, Inc., which specializes in human resources support, including executive search and training. Miller writes training manuals and facilitates seminars on a variety of subjects. Her custom designed training programs improve employees’ knowledge, skills and attitudes toward their jobs. These include basic supervisory and advanced management skills. She also designs and delivers client specific training on team building, presentations, communications, business writing, consultative selling and customer service.
Miller began her grant-writing career by volunteering to write grants while she served on numerous nonprofit boards. In 2007, Miller became a certified grant writer and founded Grant Writing Resources, Inc. Formerly, Miller held executive level positions, in both line and staff functions, with Fortune 1000 companies. She received her undergraduate degree in education and her graduate degree in business administration. Miller has been cited in Marquis Publishing's Who's Who in America, the nation's top biographical dictionary. In 2008, Miller was awarded the prestigious Lamplighter Award for Excellence in Writing from the New England Society for Healthcare Communications.
Miller believes strongly in volunteerism and public service. She is currently a selectman for the town of Peterborough; member of the Society for Human Resources Management and of the Greater Peterborough and Greater Keene Chambers of Commerce; a Paul Harris Fellow; and BOS Liaison to the Peterborough Library Trustees and the Economic Development Authority (EDA Broadband subcommittee and Strategic Planning Committee). She has served as a member of the town of Peterborough Budget Committee and CIP Committee; chair of the Board of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, district chair for the Monadnock United Way, president of the Connecticut State Federation of Women’s Club, and a board member of the Emergency Medical Services Council, Milford Family and Child Guidance Clinic, and the Peterborough Players Board of Trustees.
2006-2007
Ken Woods
President, Dublin Health & Benefit Group, LLC
Founder and President of Dublin Health & Benefit Group, LLc since 2005, Woods' longstanding contributions to the region spans back to 1989. Woods consults with individuals and employers (small groups with 2-100 employees) in his areas of expertise including health insurance and employee benefits (Small Group Insurance, Medicare Supplements, Advantage and Part D Prescription and Individual Health Plans).
Woods lives in Dublin, NH with his wife, Fabiola. They have five children ages 20 to 28. Woods has served as President of Peterborough, NH Rotary Club, dedicated six years on the Dublin, NH Town Budget committee, and two years as Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Expo committee Chairman.
2005-2006
Paul Faber
Senior Vice President, Lake Sunapee Bank
Paul Faber grew up in Acton, Massachusetts, the oldest of five boys. He graduated from Acton Boxborough Regional High School in 1982. Faber attended Fitchburg State College and studied business and economics. Post-graduation, he attended the School of Commercial Banking at Babson College and enrolled in various post graduate classes at Harvard University.
Faber began his banking career in Boston with employment at Putnam Investment, Boston Private Bank, and Atlantic Bank and Trust. After ten plus years, Faber moved north to restore an old farmhouse in Marlborough, New Hampshire, and joined Granite Bank in Keene. He married Sandra, who he had met earlier in Boston.
When ultimately transferred to Granite Bank’s Peterborough office, Faber was introduced to Rotary by former president Whalen Dunn. With the help of Realtor and Rotarian Dave Sobe, Faber bought land in Hancock and ultimately designed and built a home facing Mount Skatutakee.
Faber joined Lake Sunapee Bank in 2000 where he continues manage commercial and municipal banking in the region. He has been a long-term volunteer for the Harris Center along with various town of Hancock roles. Sandra and Paul have two children, Trevor and Madeline. Both were born at Monadnock Community Hospital.
2004-2005
Nancy Rose Redling
Genealogist, Nancy Rose Associates
Nancy Rose Redling was born in Wallingford, Connecticut. One of Wallingford’s founders was Abraham Doolittle, one of Nancy’s ancestors, making her 11th generation. Redling earned an Associate Degree in community organization and advocacy from Eastern Baptist University in Pennsylvania. She presently serves on the Souhegan Water Management Planning Area Committee. Redling also substitute teaches in the ConVal, Jaffrey-Rindge, and Mascenic School Districts. Redling is also a diehard New York Yankee fan and has met Mickey Mantle, George Steinbrenner, and Billy Martin to name a few.
Redling is a genealogist and founded Nancy Rose Associates in 1990 to assist others with their genealogy research. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution serving as local chapter youth chair; a member of the Connecticut Genealogical Society; a life member of Wallingford Connecticut Historical Society; and a Family Genealogist for Doolittles of America, The Morse Society and Rose Family Association. Redling works with Find-A-Grave, FamilySearch, ancestry.com for research and presently uses Legacy Family Tree software. She lives in New Ipswich with her daughter Cynthia Perkins and 2 grandsons, Robert and Charles. Her granddaughter Jennifer Perkins lives on Long Island and works for the State of New York YES program.
2003-2004
Richard M. Adler
Architect
Richard “Dick” M. Adler was born on March 25, 1928, in Bronx, New York, to Betty Uffer and Jacob Adler. He attended the Pratt Institute were he achieved his degree in architecture. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard and subsequently as a reservist in New York. He went on to work for the Port Authority of New York and in 1958 formed the firm of Hopf & Adler, which became Brodsky, Hopf & Adler in 1960.
Throughout his career he was involved in the planning, design and construction of numerous aviation projects including the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, JFK Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. In addition to aviation, Adler made significant contributions to the World Trade Center and College Point and Breezy Point, all located in New York, as well as various hotel projects including the Sheraton Heliopolis in Cairo, Egypt.
After moving to Peterborough in 1991, Adler continued his architectural practice and was chosen to be the construction manager for the town House Renovation Project. He was also involved in other projects throughout New Hampshire including the Best Western in Concord. He was president of the Peterborough Rotary, a board member of the Mariposa Museum, and served on the Budget Committee and Capital Improvement Committee for the town of Peterborough. He loved art and occasionally, for pure joy, he would paint oils. His own oil paintings depicted his travels and he created special works of art for family and friends. He shared his passion for impressionist art by donating one of his pieces to the Mariposa Museum.
Adler has five daughters, Robin, Joy, Genevieve, Anne, and Elaine and a son, Emilio. He was married to Marie.
Adler died on July 9, 2012, in Peterborough at the age of 84. He is buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery.
2002-2003
John A. Kaufhold
Owner, Peterborough Marble and Granite Works
John A. Kaufhold was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1957 as a first generation American. Kaufhold is the oldest of six children born to immigrant parents, Roberta Mutti of Italy and Hans Kaufhold of Germany. The family moved to Peterborough in 1958 when his parents purchased Peterborough Marble and Granite Works.
Kaufhold grew up on Summer Street and spent his early years on a bicycle exploring every inch of town. He attended local schools and graduated from ConVal High School in 1975. He was half way through the 8th grade when the old High School on High Street burned to the ground on Christmas Day, 1969. While this was a great Christmas gift for the kids who got three weeks off from school, it was a problem for the school district. The district placed students in temporary classes in the armory and the Electropac building (now South Meadow School). ConVal was brand new that year and Kaufhold’s 8th grade class was placed there; so he likes to joke that it took him four and a half years to get through high school.
Kaufhold attended a trade school in Barre, Vermont, where he learned the stone trades. He later attended Keene State College where he studied business management and history. During that time he worked part time at Upland Farms and earned his realtor license working for Mack Allgood of Monadnock East Real Estate Company. In 1983, Kaufhold started working in the family business and in 1987 he purchased it.
He is an active Rotarian and has supported the Club by attending district conferences, sponsoring the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Club, travelling to Honduras with Interact students, and raising funds through relay races, Cruz-Ins, and the Pancake Breakfast. Kaufhold enjoys all sports and played soccer competitively until he was 53. He enjoys cycling and has about thirty bicycles in his collection. In 1981, he cycled across the country. Kaufhold enjoys working on and collecting antique vehicles. He competes annually at the World Indoor Rowing Championships at Boston University.
Kaufhold has two sons from his first marriage, Broderick John and Alexander Henry. Both sons work with him in the family business. He is married to Joan Bando and together they enjoy two grandchildren, Lucy and Weston.
2001-2002
Richard H. Stephens
Vice President, CIM Industries
Richard H. Stephens was born in 1945 in Pennsylvania, but grew up in Texas. Stephens was the drum major of his junior high school band, cheerleader at Midwestern University, and a cadet in ROTC. He received a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Texas in 1968. Instead of being drafted for service in the Vietnam War, Stephens accepted a commission in ROTC at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 3 years with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and a commission in the US Army Medical Service Corps as 2nd Lieutenant.
Stephens has worked at Arthur D. Little Consulting Company, Polaroid, Markem Corporation, and a few others, all of which went bankrupt or were sold after he left. He also served in the Army Reserve for 9 years, retiring with the rank of Major. Stephens would never have predicted he would work for only one company for 20 years, but he did. He joined CIM Industries of Peterborough as vice president of engineering in 1989. Like the others, CIM was sold in 2010. Stephens retired in 2012 and joined his wife, Carol (Club President 1999-2000), for a life of extended vacations in France. He and Carol have been actively involved in Rotary for over 20 years, they now split their time between France and their beachside home in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Stephens is is looking forward to helping Carol as she serves as President for the Rotary Club in Nyons, France.
2000-2001
Tom Westheimer
Board Member, Kids Ark Foundation
Thomas “Tom” Westheimer has been a volunteer with Kids Ark Foundation, Thailand, since 2008 and a board member since 2015. He helped to start a Kids Ark USA charity in the US and is a former US Peace Corp volunteer (Iran 1970-72) and Canadian Peace Corps Thailand (1973-76) volunteer.
He ran a computer company for 20 years in the Peterborough, New Hampshire. He and his wife lived in Thailand from 1973 – 1983. He also volunteers with The Foundation to Encourage the Potential of Disabled Persons and has been a Peterborough Rotary member since 1993.
1999-2000
Carol C. Stephens
Owner, CC Stephens
Known these days as a baby “ boomer,” Carol C. Stephens was born a Pisces in 1946. Born of blue-collar workers, she was a small town girl of Webster, Massachusetts. Stephens attended nine years at St. Anne French Catholic School. Her high school years were at Bartlett High School. Her college education included night classes for 12 years, combining credits from 4 colleges, finally receiving her B.S. and M.A.L.S. from Keene State College.
At 19 years old, Stephens married Carl Vaillancourt and had two sons, John and James. She worked in Southbridge, Massachusetts, at American Optical for a dozen years. In her early thirties, she was relocated with AO to Keene, where she settled with her family in the small town of Swanzey. When asked to relocate again to Buffalo, New York, she stayed in Keene and was hired as the first female executive at Markem Corporation. After a 10-year stint with Markem, the adventure began.
She bought a home in Marlboro, New Hampshire, and decided to launch her own company, CC Stephens. She married Dick Stephens (Club President 2001-2002) and in 1991, they settled in a home they built in Dublin. And, like many grandparents these days, raised her grandson, Kalibb. Stephens moved her new company to Peterborough and after only a few months in town, Bob MacDonald invited Stephens to join Rotary. She accepted in 1992.
During the next 20 + years, life in the Rotary club, having a thriving business, and living in the community of Dublin with the love of her life, was a fairy-tale come true. The adventurous journey continued when, in 2005, she bought an apartment in France. In 2012, Stephens retired from her company and ventured to France with Dick for la vie magnifique. Knowing that the best way to get involved in a new community was to go to Rotary meetings, each time she went to France, she attended a meeting. This incredible connection has now led to her French Rotary deja vu adventure in 2017; Stephens has been asked and has accepted the Presidency for year 2017-2018. And so…. living life to its fullest continues.
1998-1999
Whalen Dunn
President, Granite Bank
1997-1998
Robert S. MacDonald
Consultant, Nubanusit Strategic Consulting
Robert “Bob” S. MacDonald was born and grew up on the South Shore of Long Island. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering while rowing crew for four years.
MacDonald spent three years designing business computers until his draft board noted a lapse in his critical industries deferment and was about to draft him into the US Army during the interval without congressional approval of the draft. He opted, instead, to join the US Air Force as a navigator and enjoyed flying enough to continue flying in the Air Force Reserves for another sixteen years after completing six years of active duty in C-130 transports flying all over the world.
1996-1997
Douglas A. Christensen
Vice President, Yankee Magazine
1995-1996
Nancy Gorr
Executive Director, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
1994-1995
George Duncan
Copywriter/Consultant
George L. Duncan was born in New York City on April 16, 1935, he was the only child of George E. Duncan, born in Canada, and Beatrice Maher Duncan, born in Ireland. He grew up on West 169th Street in Washington Heights on Manhattan’s Upper West Side—a blue-collar, middle-class Irish and German-Jewish neighborhood. He attended Fordham Preparatory School and was a member of Troop 718, where he became an Eagle Scout. In 1957 he graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts. After college and ROTC, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army for two years of active duty from 1957 to 1959.
George quickly found his niche as an award-winning marketing copywriter. From 1960 to 1976, he held senior copy and promotion manager positions with Esquire Magazine, Ziff-Davis Publishing, Columbia House (CBS), and Xerox Education Publications. He started his own freelance copy and consulting business (Duncan Direct Associates) in 1976 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He later relocated to Peterborough, where he provided direct marketing copy to a national roster of publishers, software companies, and marketers, including Kennedy Information where he worked from 1998 to 2008. His national awards included the John Caples Award, the Direct Marketing Association’s Echo Leader Award, the Folio: Direct Mail Award, the Newsletter Gold Award for 2002 and 2007, plus regional awards by the New England Direct Marketing Association and the New Hampshire Advertising Club.
Innovative, positive, and forward-looking, he contributed his time and leadership skills to many professional groups. He was a co-founder and president of The Vermont/New Hampshire Marketing Group, an organization that honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. He was a founding member of the Software Association of New Hampshire and a Director of the New Hampshire High Technology Council and chaired the Council’s Marketing Forum. He published numerous articles in marketing and trade publications and web sites. His books included Streetwise Direct Marketing (2001) and Democracy Held Hostage (2009), a collection of Letters to the Editor written between 2004 and 2008.
George was a quick-witted, warm-hearted mensch with a mischievous sense of humor. He believed in the importance of social justice and civic engagement, and was a prolific writer of letters to media outlets and state and national politicians. Always up on current events, he loved politics and fine conversation. He was a terrific companion for discussing these topics whenever he was around town, picking up the newspaper at Steele’s or having breakfast at Nonie’s.
George believed strongly in service to others, in part born of his nearly 45 years of sobriety that he enjoyed after a life-changing experience with Alcoholics Anonymous. He loved Peterborough and the Monadnock Region and considered his friends and neighbors in the area to be like an extended family. He gave generously to the community, serving as President of the Peterborough Rotary Club, Scoutmaster of local Troop 2, Chairman of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s Business Support Committee, and as a member of the Peterborough Master Plan Economic Diversity and Cultural committees.
He was a lifelong learner who, in his 70s, began a course of study in Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University New England in Keene. He earned a certificate in Mindfulness and Psychotherapy from IMP in 2013 and was a Certified Recovery Coach.
After his semi-retirement in 2008, he turned much of his attention to creative writing and blogging. His personal essays and poetry were published in Ad Hoc Monadnock Online and Smoky Quartz. He became particularly active in the Monadnock Writers’ Group, where he served as President and later as Public Relations Officer until his death.
Duncan passed away peacefully at his home in Peterborough, NH, on Monday, March 19. He was 82 years old. He is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery.
1993-1994
Barry R. Miller
Owner, Benjamin Prescott Inn
Barry R. Miller was born on August 30, 1942, in Dearborn, Michigan, son of Edith Rogers and Harry Miller. He received his early education at the Edison Institute Schools in Dearborn, Michigan, and graduated in 1965 from Michigan State University with a degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management.
Miller served with the United States Army as a Quartermaster Officer managing the US Army Headquarters, Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. He was a member of the John Humiston Post #11 American Legion of Jaffrey.
For 14 years he worked for the Ford family at the Dearborn Inn as the Executive Steward. Miller then became a Pointman, opening, renovating, and/or troubleshooting hotels for 12 years for Western International (Westin), AIRCOA and the Continental Companies. He worked in many of the larger hotels throughout the country in Detroit and Lansing, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio, Orlando, Florida, and Napa, California.
He and his wife moved to Jaffrey in 1988 where they owned and operated the Benjamin Prescott Inn for twelve years. This was the highest rated property in the area. Miller was later employed at Belletete’s in Jaffrey where he was in charge of Human Resources and Inventory Control.
Miller was very active in Rotary International; he was past president of the Peterborough Rotary Club, a founding member of the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Miller had served as the executive director of the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce for ten years. While holding this position, he helped form the Chamber’s Conservation Committee and held various positions on the Education Committee. Miller was instrumental in establishing and organizing the Chamber’s Annual Festival of Fireworks as well as the Rails to Trails program in the area. Miller also organized the establishment of the fountain in the Contoocook River and the annual placement of the holiday decorations. He helped form the "Main Street" program in Jaffrey to refurbish downtown. He also helped develop the Chamber’s Riverwalk program and the "Welcome Center."
Miller had served on the Board of Directors of the Jaffrey-Rindge Ambulance Foundation as well as the Board of Directors of the Cathedral of the Pines. He was a member of the Hotel Sales Managers Association, an assistant leader with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, the founder and past president of the Monadnock Travel Council and a member of CORE (Committee of Regional Executives).
Miller also took great pride in his family and devoted much of his free time to following his children’s sporting and scouting activities. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and children; together they visited Yosemite, Mt Hood, Mt. Shasta, the Redwoods, Yellowstone, San Francisco, Nova Scotia, Alaska, and was able to enjoy an occasional Hot Air Balloon ride, too.
Miller served with the United States Army as a Quartermaster Officer managing the US Army Headquarters, Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. He was a member of the John Humiston Post #11 American Legion of Jaffrey.
For 14 years he worked for the Ford family at the Dearborn Inn as the Executive Steward. Miller then became a Pointman, opening, renovating, and/or troubleshooting hotels for 12 years for Western International (Westin), AIRCOA and the Continental Companies. He worked in many of the larger hotels throughout the country in Detroit and Lansing, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio, Orlando, Florida, and Napa, California.
He and his wife moved to Jaffrey in 1988 where they owned and operated the Benjamin Prescott Inn for twelve years. This was the highest rated property in the area. Miller was later employed at Belletete’s in Jaffrey where he was in charge of Human Resources and Inventory Control.
Miller was very active in Rotary International; he was past president of the Peterborough Rotary Club, a founding member of the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Miller had served as the executive director of the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce for ten years. While holding this position, he helped form the Chamber’s Conservation Committee and held various positions on the Education Committee. Miller was instrumental in establishing and organizing the Chamber’s Annual Festival of Fireworks as well as the Rails to Trails program in the area. Miller also organized the establishment of the fountain in the Contoocook River and the annual placement of the holiday decorations. He helped form the "Main Street" program in Jaffrey to refurbish downtown. He also helped develop the Chamber’s Riverwalk program and the "Welcome Center."
Miller had served on the Board of Directors of the Jaffrey-Rindge Ambulance Foundation as well as the Board of Directors of the Cathedral of the Pines. He was a member of the Hotel Sales Managers Association, an assistant leader with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, the founder and past president of the Monadnock Travel Council and a member of CORE (Committee of Regional Executives).
Miller also took great pride in his family and devoted much of his free time to following his children’s sporting and scouting activities. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and children; together they visited Yosemite, Mt Hood, Mt. Shasta, the Redwoods, Yellowstone, San Francisco, Nova Scotia, Alaska, and was able to enjoy an occasional Hot Air Balloon ride, too.
Miller married Janice Saxton in 1965 and they had a daughter, Nancy, and a son, Martin.
Miller died at the age of 63 on December 25, 2005, in Keene.
1992-1993
Lawrence C. Ross
Selectman, Town of Peterborough
Colonel Lawrence Ross was born in Lumber City, Pennsylvania, on November 6, 1937. The son of a coal miner and the grandson of a family that homesteaded their farm in rural Pennsylvania, Ross learned very early the value of honest hard work, working on his uncle's dairy farm as a boy and then at the Clearfield Cheese Company in Clinton, Missouri, as a young man.
Ross graduated from Clinton High School at 16, and was selected to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in the spring of 1959, married his sweetheart Nancy Camp in August, and began what would become a long and distinguished career as an officer in the US Army and a life of a devoted husband and father.
His military career included overseas tours in Germany, Vietnam, and South Korea. Stateside, among many duties, he served as an instructor at USMA West Point, Commander of the 541st Maintenance Battalion at Fort Riley, Kan., and Post Commander of the Army Mechanics and Materials Research Center in Watertown, Mass. He earned his Master's degree in engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Northeastern University.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1985, Ross and his wife, Nancy, settled in Peterborough, where he became an active member in the local business and political community. For many years, Ross served Peterborough as Selectman, and continued on to represent the district in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Ross’ passions included his wife and family, his pets, fishing, advising entrepreneurs and small businesses, and teaming up with his wife Nancy to restore their centuries-old New England Colonial farmhouse to its former glory. His family will always be grateful for his leadership and for the opportunities in life that he provided for them. Lawrence
Ross died peacefully on March 21, 2016 in Beaufort, South Stephensina. He was 78 years old.
Ross graduated from Clinton High School at 16, and was selected to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in the spring of 1959, married his sweetheart Nancy Camp in August, and began what would become a long and distinguished career as an officer in the US Army and a life of a devoted husband and father.
His military career included overseas tours in Germany, Vietnam, and South Korea. Stateside, among many duties, he served as an instructor at USMA West Point, Commander of the 541st Maintenance Battalion at Fort Riley, Kan., and Post Commander of the Army Mechanics and Materials Research Center in Watertown, Mass. He earned his Master's degree in engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Northeastern University.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1985, Ross and his wife, Nancy, settled in Peterborough, where he became an active member in the local business and political community. For many years, Ross served Peterborough as Selectman, and continued on to represent the district in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Ross’ passions included his wife and family, his pets, fishing, advising entrepreneurs and small businesses, and teaming up with his wife Nancy to restore their centuries-old New England Colonial farmhouse to its former glory. His family will always be grateful for his leadership and for the opportunities in life that he provided for them. Lawrence
Ross died peacefully on March 21, 2016 in Beaufort, South Stephensina. He was 78 years old.
1991 -1992
Andrew Peterson
Vice President, The Petersons, Inc.
Andrew Peterson was born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, to Dorothy and Walter Peterson. He is a graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts and Dartmouth College. Peterson entered the real estate field in 1979 as a sales associate and since that time has sold over 200 million dollars worth of property in the Monadnock Region of Southern New Hampshire.
Peterson is designated as Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) by the Realtors National Institute of Chicago, Illinois, and as Senior Appraiser by the National Association of Certified Real Property Appraisers. He is a former Grievance Committee Chairman for Commercial Investment Division of New Hampshire Realtors and approved Contractor in Brokerage and Appraisal Services for Resolution Trust.
Peterson is a member of the state, regional and National Association of Realtors, Trustee of Trust Funds, Sharon, New Hampshire (1982-1985), President Peterborough Rotary Club (1991-1992), Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Past Treasurer Dartmouth Club of Southwestern New Hampshire, former alternate member of Peterborough Board of Adjustment, past member and chair of Peterborough Budget Committee. He served five terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and as State Senator for District 11 from 2002-2004.
1990-1991
Larry Lindsley
1989-1990
Robert J. Condon, Jr.
1988-1989
Stanley W. Peters
Chairman, A.W. Peters, Inc.
Stanley Wallace Peters was born on July 23, 1927, to Muriel Elizabeth McKinzie and Ashford Wallace Peters. He served in the US Navy during World War II.
On June 15, 1947, Wallace married Delores Anne Brassard in Peterborough. He graduated from University of New Hampshire in 1950 with a degree in physical education teaching. In 1953, he was teaching mathematics at Concord High School.
In 1957, Peters left teaching to join his father’s business, A.W. Peters, Inc. heating oil sales and service in Peterborough.
He served in the New Hampshire State Legislature and was a member of the Peterborough and ConVal School Boards. Peters served the town of Peterborough as a selectman. After his death, Merton Dyer reflected that Peters was “steady, reliable, one who inspired confidence and never backed away from a difficult decision.”
Peters died on August 17, 1997, in Peterborough, at the age of 70. He is buried in the St. Peter Cemetery.
1987-1988
Robert E. Stote, Sr.
Investment Planner, F. L. Putnam & Co.
Robert “Bob” Edward Stote was born on August 30, 1932, in New Jersey. He attended Bordentown Military Prep school and graduated from Pennsylvania Military Academy with a BS in civil engineering. Stote spent several years as an engineer with Charles T. Main & C., then began his work with the Charles A. Day Associates of F. L. Putnam & Co. of Boston.
Stote married Joyce Emily and they had two children, Robert, Jr., and Martha.
He served the town of Peterborough as a member of the Hydropower Committee and was a Deacon of the Union Congregational Church. Stote was a member of the Monadnock Country Club and the Keene YMCA. He enjoyed skiing, golfing, and bowling and had made most of the furniture in his home.
Stote died on June 6, 2011, in Swanzey, New Hampshire. He was 78 years old. He is buried in the Homestead Cemetery in West Swanzey, New Hampshire.
1986-1987
John M. Farrell
Insurance Agent
1985-1986
Gordon K. Billipp
Owner, Wilton Pressed Metals
Gordon K. "Bill" Billipp, was born in Port Chester, New York, on April 28, 1922, to Frederick A. and Louise O. Billipp. He attended public schools in Mamaroneck, New York, and was a senior at Columbia University when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
A World War II veteran, he joined the US Naval Reserve and, after graduating in May, was commissioned as ensign in the Navy. He worked for Armstrong Cork Company's Industrial Division in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for 25 years, as salesman and sales manager. In 1969 he moved to Peterborough and bought Wilton Pressed Metals, a metal stamping plant in Wilton.
He was a 30-year member of the Peterborough Rotary Club, which honored him with a Paul Harris Fellowship. He served on boards of New Hampshire BIA and NH/VT Blue Cross-Blue Shield. He served on the investment committee of Monadnock Community Hospital, and valued his 25 years as a director of Ocean Bank.
Billipp was married to Elizabeth Allen Whitesell. They had four sons, J. Andrew, James F., Peter D., and Major Norman K. who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969.
Billipp died on June 28, 2009, in Peterborough at the age of 87.
1984-1985
John G. Brodie
Peterborough Transcript
1983-1984
Joseph Cummings
Program Manager, Staff Development for Educators
1982-1983
Robert Taft, Esq.
Partner, Fernald, Taft, Falby & Little, P.A., Attorneys at Law
Robert “Bob” Taft was born in Greenville to Mary McKaig and James Chamberlin Taft. Taft attended Peterborough High School and graduated from Vermont Academy in 1948.
He served in the US Army in Korea as a First Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1952 to 1955.
Taft earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in 1952 and his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1958.
Taft joined the law firm of Ken Brighton, Sr., in Peterborough in 1958. At the time, there were only three lawyers in Peterborough. Taft served as a Justice of the Greenville Municipal Court from 1959 to 2000.
Taft has been on the Board of Directors of Village Savings Bank, Monadnock Community Hospital and Scott-Farrar Home, and a trustee of Monadnock Music, Sharon Arts Center, RiverMead and the Board of Windy Row Learning Center.
1981-1982
Jack Burwick
Realtor
1980-1981
Robert "Andy" Benoit
Chiropractor
Andy Benoit was born on May 13, 1933, in Stoneham, MA. He was the son of Robert and Muriel Benoit. He grew up in Hampton Falls working hard on the family farm. Andy has continued to live in the Monadnock area for over 50 years.
After attending UNH, Andy joined the Army from 1953-1955. At the end of his enlistment, he enrolled at the Logan College of Chiropractic in Missouri, where he graduated as a chiropractor in 1960. He had an office in Peterborough from 1963-1999.
Andy was active in the Peterborough Rotary club for a very long time and enjoyed many visitors from around the world through the club. He became the clubs first official greeter, a position he enjoyed and did well. He looked forward to each Monday meeting and respected his fellow Rotarians greatly.
Andy and his wife Theresa raised four wonderful children, who remain the focus and highlight of his life.
Andy continues to live in Peterborough where he enjoys coffee at Dunkins, his family and greeting friends, as usual, with a handshake and smile.
1979-1980
D. Scott Hicks
Manager, IDS Marketing Corp.
D. Scott Hicks was born on Sept. 21, 1927, in Washington, DC, he was the son of Raymond M. Hicks and Mary (Scott) Hicks. Raised in New Jersey, he lived in Peterborough and Dublin for forty years.
Mr. Hicks graduated from Bucknell University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce and finance. He enjoyed a long career in finance and brokerage; locally with Monadnock Paper Mills and Tucker Anthony, retiring in 1997.
He was an active member of many civic and business groups, including Peterborough Rotary; Peterborough Chamber of Commerce; Town of Dublin Trustee of Trust Funds; and the Business & Industry Association of N.H. He took pleasure in golf, boating, travel, and deep-sea fishing. His family was the most beloved part of his life.
Hicks was married to Nancy Wolfinger and had a daughter, Martha, sons David and Craig, and grandchildren Jennifer, Kristen, Rob, and Scott.
Hicks died at the age of 77 on Aug. 1, 2005 at Good Shepherd Healthcare Center in Jaffrey, of complications of Parkinson’s disease. Continuing his legacy of compassion and giving, Mr. Hicks’ body has been donated to Boston University School of Medicine for Parkinson’s research. He is buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Peterborough.
1978-1979
Richard Amidon
Senior Vice President, New Hampshire Ball Bearings
Richard E. “Dick” Amidon was born on November 16, 1927, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth Elkins and Charles H. Amidon. He served in the US Army during World War II, then attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for New Hampshire Ball Bearings in Peterborough, for 23 years, rising to the position of senior vice president. He also served a term as a representative to the New Hampshire House. He later served as Chief of Staff for the Speaker of the New Hampshire House, as well as director of the Office of Legislative Services.
Amidon was active in the Hancock community, serving as a selectman and later as moderator. He was a member of the Hancock Fire Department for 16 years, and was also instrumental in preserving Hancock's historic railroad depot and the adjacent Camp Guild property. He was a longtime member of the Hancock Congregational Church. He also served on the building committee for ConVal High School, was a trustee of the Peterborough Savings Bank, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He is also remembered for being a founding member of Hancock's Jug Band, which entertained the town for many years.
Amidon loved nothing more than being surrounded by his family. He loved playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, interacting with animals, and doing woodworking and construction projects. He was always ready to help his family, friends, neighbors, and community in any way possible.
Amidon was active in the Hancock community, serving as a selectman and later as moderator. He was a member of the Hancock Fire Department for 16 years, and was also instrumental in preserving Hancock's historic railroad depot and the adjacent Camp Guild property. He was a longtime member of the Hancock Congregational Church. He also served on the building committee for ConVal High School, was a trustee of the Peterborough Savings Bank, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He is also remembered for being a founding member of Hancock's Jug Band, which entertained the town for many years.
Amidon loved nothing more than being surrounded by his family. He loved playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, interacting with animals, and doing woodworking and construction projects. He was always ready to help his family, friends, neighbors, and community in any way possible.
Amidon married Eleanor Carleton in 1955 and had three daughters, Lesley, Cynthia and Marcia.
Amidon died on October 30, 2015, at the age of 87.
1977-1978
Kenneth R. Chandler
President, Peterborough Savings Bank
Kenneth Boutwell Chandler was born in Concord, New Hampshire, on June 22, 1923, to Esther and Lawton B. Chandler. He graduated from Concord High School in 1941. His high school yearbook indicates his plans were to attend Dartmouth but it appears a war got in the way. Chandler enlisted on March 5, 1943, into the United States Army Air Corps. He served until the end of the war.
Chandler graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1949 with a degree in business administration.
Chandler served the town of Peterborough as an auditor and cemetery trustee.
Chandler died on June 9, 1997, in Manchester just shy of his 74th birthday. He is buried in the Chandler Cemetery on Lake Nubanusit in Nelson, New Hampshire.
1976-1977
Harry R. Buxton
Owner, Steele’s Book Store
Harry Royal Buxton was born on May 16, 1926, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, to Anne Dix and Harry Oscar Buxton. He served during World War II in the US Navy from 1944-1946. Following his service, Buxton enrolled at the University of New Hampshire and graduated in 1950 with a degree in agronomy.
Buxton married Rita May Bisson and had four sons, Alan, Scott, Jon, Cary and one daughter, Susan.
Along with his wife, Rita, Buxton were among the founding members of Monadnock Workshop (now Monadnock Worksource) that creates working venues for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Peterborough Area. The family later moved to York, Maine.
Buxton died on April 9, 1996, at the age of 69. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Milford, New Hampshire.
1975-1976
Irving E. Nichols
Superintendent, Herd Registry Department, American Guernsey Cattle Club
Irving "Nick" Eaton Nichols was born on November 25, 1922, in Boston to Gladys Dearing Edwards and Charles Eaton Nichols. He attended Massachusetts State College at Amherst, graduating in 1944 with a Bachelor's degree in animal husbandry. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II.
Nichols married Elizabeth Tilton on October 5, 1946, and they had a son, Douglas. That year, he moved to Peterborough to work for American Guernsey Cattle Club, retiring in 1982 as superintendent of the herd register department.
He was a member of Union Congregational Church for 50 years. He was a longtime member of Peterborough Rotary Club, which honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow for exceptional service. He served on the board of directors of Monadnock Country Club, Scott Farrar Home, Visiting Nurse Association, and Boy Scouts of America. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan and an avid golfer. In 1988 he co-founded a junior golf program, which has introduced hundreds of 3rd-through-6th grade children to the game.
In 2001 he married Margaret Jones.
Nichols died on November 5, 2009, at the age of 86 after an extended illness. He is buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Peterborough.