Richard c STODDARD

Bennington, NH Richard Clayton Stoddard I passed away surrounded by his family, on August 31, 2024. He was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on January 14, 1959 to Patricia Brooks and Homer Bradford Stoddard. Who have both since passed away. Richard lived many lives within his 65 years of life. He always wanted to write a book of his life story and we wish he had, because there’s no way to write it all in this blurb. His story began with joining the Army. He was a chef, a plastics engineer, a knife maker, a tinkerer, but most of all a husband and father. It’s hard to encapsulate who he was without feeling like something is being left out. He had a love for music, guitars, guns, knives, tractors, chainsaws, baseball, animals, cycling, motorcycles, movies, gardening, and a full Christmas stocking. Richard and his family relocated and settled in Bennington, New Hampshire in 1999. Richard was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a rare genetic condition, that slowly took his lungs from him. After a long, courageous battle with A1AD, Richard was the lucky recipient of a double lung transplant in December 2008. The transplant gave Richard almost 16 more years with his family. He was delighted to share with anyone and everyone who would listen, about his newly gifted lungs. He proudly wore sweatshirts and t-shirts that shouted to the rooftops, that he was a lung transplant recipient. He was incredibly grateful, as was his family. He was a fighter, and one of the strongest people to walk this earth. A1AD wasn’t the only mountain he had to climb, he was then diagnosed with stage 3 Kidney failure that progressed to stage 5 by the end. Richard received dialysis until the end of his days. His family gives thanks to each and every medical person that played a part in helping keep him earth side another day! The house doesn’t make a home, it’s the people who fill it. If you were to sit and listen to one of his many stories, he would speak fondly of the homes he lived especially, Reading, Massachusetts, the house on Blueberry Hill, the farmhouse in Maine, and lastly, his homestead in Bennington, where he will stay, and remain resting forever by his babbling brook. He was predeceased by his wife, Dianna. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sara Adams of Bennington, NH. His children, Jeremy Stoddard of Michigan, Sara (Rob) Zinn of Washington, NH, Miranda (JJ) Dunlap of Hancock, NH, Richard Stoddard II, and Seth Stoddard of Bennington, NH. His grandchildren Siara, Anthony, Alex, Cyrus, Blake, and Anna. His siblings, Pamela Carignan and Charles (Chip) Stoddard. Come as you are to celebrate Richard and nature simultaneously. Enjoy some music, stories and good food. October 6, 2024 at the Harris Center 83 Kings Hwy, Hancock, NH 03449 from 2-4pm. The Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service Hillsboro, Nh is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, our family asks you to become an organ donor. Safe a life! Check that box when renewing your license, or register now online at https://neds.org/ For More log on to www.holtwoodburyfh.com

Tributes

Richard c STODDARD

January 14, 1959 - August 31, 2024