Elmer A. Stark

New Ipswich, NH Elmer Arvid Stark, 91, of New Ipswich passed away in North Conway surrounded by his loving family after a period of failing health. Born during the blizzard of 1925 with no time for the doctor to arrive, Elmer started his life's adventures. Growing up on a rural NH farm, the Starks all relied on Finnish ingenuity. This fostered a lifetime appreciation for any new innovations. Anything was possible! After serving in WWII, upon guidance from Headmaster Hjalmer Maki, Elmer earned his Mechanical Engineering degree at UNH. The highlight of his career was proudly designing trajectory systems for the Apollo Space Missions. He married the love of his life, Thelma, raised seven children, got his pilot's license, built every house he lived in, and traveled worldwide with Thelma. They never missed a Finn Fest! Sadly he lost Thelma to cancer. Then at eighty drafted a bucket list. Up in a hot air balloon, down in submarines, Greenland to the tropics. He covered it. His kindness, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit will always be cherished. Elmer is survived by his children Nancy, David, Alex, Laurie, Karl, Katrina, and Erik, 12 grandchildren and a growing list of great grandchildren. We are forever indebted to his nephews Allan Stark and Bill Kivela and to Abi Mills who helped Elmer stay independent in his later years. Elmer is Predeceased by his loving wife Thelma (Dolan) Stark and his parents John and Minnie (Makela) Stark as well as his siblings. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM at The New Ipswich Congregational Church, 156 Main Street, New Ipswich. Burial will follow immediately after the service at Smithville Cemetery, Binney Hill Road, New Ipswich. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that you follow Elmer's example and go on an adventure of your own.

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