Richard Tyler Halstead

WOLFEBORO - Richard Tyler Halstead, Sr., 81 of Stonehenge Rd., died Aug. 21st at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Dick was born in Fitchburg, MA on January 4, 1934 and was the son of the late Brigadier General Lyle E. and Eleanor (Layden) Halstead. He lived in the lakes region for over 25 years, moving here from Bedford and Sudbury, MA. Dick was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Church in Alton. He was a 1952 graduate of St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg, MA and a 1956 graduate of Boston College, where he played intra-mural football and basketball and earned a degree in Arts and Science. He was also a member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Air National Guard where he attended navigator school and was honorably discharged in 1969 with the rank of Captain. After college Dick worked for IBM for many years and later founded his own computer service company, Halstead and Associates, that served many of the businesses in the Boston area. Dick was a highly skilled and adventurous man and had several successful careers. He was a member of the NH Association of Realtors and the Treasurer of the NH Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. Dick was also a licensed General Contractor and designed and built houses. Dick built their home in Wolfeboro where the family gathered often to enjoy various seasonal sports and family celebrations. Dick deeply loved his family and was adored and admired by them. He leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend of 33 years: Betsy (Humphreys) Halstead of Wolfeboro; his children and their spouses: Laura and Robert Cautela of Litchfield, NH, Ellen and David Coulter of Northfield, NH, Jill Halstead of Jericho, VT, Richard Jr. and Tamara Halstead of Lexington, MA, Heather and Thomas LaBrecque of Westford, MA, Lesley Paton and Jason Bough of Auckland, New Zealand, Scarlet and Greg Lindquist of Portsmouth, NH; his many adored grandchildren: Craig Cautela, Lynn Smith, Amy Clark, Richard Cautela, Robert Cautela Jr., Isabel Halstead, Henry Halstead, Claire Lindquist; his great grandchildren: Karl Smith, Jessie Smith, Ian Smith; and many loving nieces and nephews and close extended family members. Dick was a man of many talents which he loved sharing with his family, friends, and community. He coached the girl’s softball teams in Sudbury and played on the town’s men’s softball team. He was president of the Massachusetts Chapter of Buddy Werner for entry level ski racers. Dick was a passionate skier, having tackled Tuckerman’s Ravine with his bride, and heli-skiing in Banff, but he especially enjoyed skiing at home in his beloved White Mountains including Gunstock, Cannon and Loon. Dick was an avid boater, water skier and swimmer and was a past member of the Corinthian Yacht Club. He and Betsy enjoyed scuba diving together in many tropical places. He was also an accomplished pilot and flew for the Air National Guard. His father instilled in him a love of flying when Dick was only a toddler. Dick loved a good game of golf and tennis and was a past member of the Wolfeboro Racquet Club and current member of the Kingswood Golf Club. He regularly volunteered as a gate keeper for the Antique Boat Race held yearly on his beloved Lake Winnepesaukee. Dick hardly ever missed a Red Sox or Patriots game. He also donated his time to the community as a member of the Lakes Region Newcomers Club and the Huggins Hospital Street Fair. Above all, Dick was a true gentleman with kindness in his soul and sweetness in his words. He was a devoted father, uncle and friend to his family, step family, adopted family, and his fur family including: Daisy, Barkley, Percy, Tigger and Simba. The family would especially like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Huggins Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for all their outstanding care and heartfelt support throughout Dick’s last years. A Memorial Mass with Military Honors will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 29th at St. Katharine Drexel Church in Alton followed by a celebration of his life and potluck gathering at the Halstead home, 32 Stonehenge Rd., Wolfeboro. The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wolfeboro, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pop Whalen Ice Arena’s Back Bay Skating Program, 390 Pine Hill Rd, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, (603) 569-5639, Attn. Director of Parks & Recreation. To leave a note of condolence and to sign an online guest book go to: www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com