Richard I. Sawyer

It is with profound sadness that the family of Richard Irvin Sawyer shares that on October 2, 2018, at his home Dick lost his courageous fight against glioblastoma.

He was born in Woodsville, NH on April 24, 1936, the youngest son of Harry and Lillian (Dustin) Sawyer.  Dick graduated from Woodsville High School in 1954. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army.

Dick received his Bachelor of Education degree from Keene State College and subsequently his Master of Education degree. Dick joined the faculty at Conant High School in Jaffrey in 1966 where he taught biology before becoming curriculum coordinator.  In 1973, he became the first principal of the Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School, a position he held for 11 years.  In 1984, Dick became Director of Instruction for the Jaffrey-Rindge School District.  He left this position in 1989 to become Principal of the South Hadley Middle School in South Hadley, MA, until his retirement in 1999. Over the course of time, Dick was involved in many church and community activities, as well as professional associations.  His favorite source of relaxation was fly fishing.

Dick leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 60 years Gail (Whittemore),  his children Jonathan Sawyer and his wife Joan Barrows of Peterborough, Elizabeth Sawyer of Peterborough, and Keturah Sawyer and her husband Steven Lubelczyk of Wenham, MA, sisters-in-law Judith Whittemore of Peterborough and Betty McKinnon of Goffstown, nieces and nephews.   His greatest honor was being Buppa to his grandchildren, Eliza Lubelczyk, Ainsley Pruss, Lillian Sawyer, Austin Prochilo, Gabrielle Doane and Patrick Trappe, and two great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his brother Paul and his sister Margaret.

A Celebration of Dick’s life will take place at the Union Congregational Church in Peterborough, NH, on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at noon.

For those wishing to remember Dick with a memorial contribution, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests the Peterborough Library Campaign,  2 Concord St., Peterborough, NH  03458 or  http://peterboroughtownlibrary.org/libraryproject.