ST. ALBANS – David Lamphere Kendall of Old Wing Road, St. Albans, passed away of a stroke at 2:30 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009, at Mayo Regional Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft. Dave was born March 26, 1923, in Huron, S.D. A child of a railroad executive, he grew up “all across the Midwest.” He came east to attend Dartmouth College, Class of 1945, where his student career was interrupted by two years in a Naval V12 unit. He saw active duty in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. He married Ann in 1949, worked as a geologist at New Jersey Zinc Co., living in Colorado and Tennessee until 1960 when he began a science teaching career in Carlisle, Pa., and West Hartford, Conn. He retired from teaching in 1982 and moved to St Albans. His retirement years were full and rewarding. He devoted his time and energy to travelling and to indulging his great love of reading and writing. He authored several books including “Glaciers and Granite, the Landscape and Geology of Maine,” and a biography of legendary Patten woodsman, Ross McKenney, a great mentor to Dave in his Dartmouth years. At the time of his death, Dave had just read the proofs of his final book, “Readings from Red Wing Hill.” Surprising family and friends by retiring North, he and Ann reveled in gardening and rural living in their passive solar home. They became active members of the Dexter community and First Universalist Church of Dexter. In his memoirs he described himself as “attracted to nature and natural things: objects, animals and plants, insects, scenery, landscape, mountains, open space, vistas.” In every place he lived he advocated for conservation of local environmental gems. He always had pet cats. He organized several memorable – just ask his children! – wilderness family canoe trips in Canada. He loved the outdoors and was an accomplished campfire cook. A scientist by training, a teacher by vocation, he sought to instill in his children and students an appreciation of the grandeur, beauty and mystery of nature. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Ann Reiter Kendall of St Albans; his brother, Robert Kendall of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; his daughter, Margaret Buschmann and her husband, Fritz, of Harmony; and his son, Douglas and his wife, Diane, of Holderness, N.H. He also leaves seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Peter C. Kendall, in 1977. A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gift remembrances be made to a conservation organization of your choice. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Dexter. For an online guest register go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.
DAVID LAMPHERE KENDALL
