New London, NH –
June 22, 1947 – May 13, 2026
Richard Howell Showalter Jr. began his adventure on Earth on June 22, 1947, with his loving parents Margaret and Richard Showalter in Lafayette, Indiana. He was better known, as Dick, Dad, Grandpa and Pop-Pop to those closest to him. His life was a collection of marvelous journeys, meaningful endeavors, cherished ties, and relentless enthusiastic commitment to connection with his family and friends.
Dick loved the natural world, framed through his childhood involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. The mountains, sea and all its creatures were always calling. Dick joined the U.S. Navy in 1967, serving his country for 4 years aboard the USS Page as Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Petty Officer, further deepening his love of the sea. Wanting to advance his nautical skills, Dick purchased his own sailboat which led him on spectacular voyages with his family around the cool waters of Rhode Island and the warm turquois waters of the British Virgin Islands. There are countless hiking treks through the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Mount Whitney of the Sierra range and magical waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.
After Dick separated from the Navy, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth studying Business Administration/Accounting, graduating in 1973. His professional career started at KPMG Peat, Marwick, Mitchell of Providence, RI in 1973 where he met his wife, Susan (Corson). He moved into the Healthcare System in 1978 as VP of Finance at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island. There they had two children, Emily and Nathaniel. Seven years later, in 1985, Dick, Sue, Emily and Nate relocated to the Upper Valley in Lyme, NH when Dick became the Chief Financial Officer with Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital which developed and expanded to become Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. After relocating his family to Newbury, VT in 1988, he remained a dedicated employee of DHMC and member/officer of multiple medical and financial boards and committees for 25 years retiring as Senior VP for Finance of Dartmouth Medical Center and Chief Financial Officer of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Alliance in 2010.
Dick leaves behind an incredible legacy through his family. Dick and Susan had 48 years together enjoying both domestic experiences and traveling across the country and abroad. His eldest, Emily found love and wed Jantz Hoffman of Arcata, CA and reside in Camas, WA. Nathaniel and Breanne (Mills) of Fairlee, VT, also found love and married and now reside in Orford, NH. If you had asked Dick what he was proudest of he would have answered Emily and Nate and his four Grandchildren – Nora, Tavia, Calum and Molly. They will forever be all the better for having had a Dad, Grandpa/Pop-Pop like him in their lives. He passed on his love for adventure to all.
Dick has departed too soon, but his numerous gifts of generosity and the drive to live life to its fullest and to savor all moments as precious, will help to bring peace and comfort to his family.
A Celebration of Life at Lake Sunapee Country Club, Country Club Lane, New London, NH, will be held Thursday, May 21, from 2-4 PM.
In lieu of flowers may the family suggest donating to either Messer Pond Protective Association (messerpond.org) or Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ausbonsargent.org).
To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.
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