Obit: Bruce E. Fowler … formerly of Rochester

DOVER - Bruce E. Fowler, 90, formerly of 30 Holiday Drive, died peacefully with family by his side on July 23, 2013 at Watson Fields. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, who passed away on June 20, 2013.

Bruce was born in Henniker on July 7, 1923, to the late Herbert and Algia Fowler.

He later lived in Marblehead, Mass. before moving to Rochester where he lived on the family farm. Bruce graduated from Rochester High School. 

Bruce married Barbara N. Lunt in 1949 and resided in Durham for 53 years. They later moved to Tara Estates Retirement Community in Rochester, where they resided until 2010. They moved to Maple Suites in Dover three years ago. Bruce and Barbara would have celebrated their 64th anniversary this October.

Bruce worked at the University of New Hampshire in Durham for 45 years for what is now known as the Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center. His first job at UNH was doing the barn chores and milking. This eventually led to being a herdsman and finally in 1978 to Lead Herdsman. During his time at UNH the dairy program earned a reputation for improving herds around the world.

Bruce's expertise led him to judging at the prestigious Eastern States Exposition.

On his retirement from UNH he was presented with season tickets to all the UNH sports but he especially loved attending the UNH hockey games. 

At home Bruce and Barbara raised chickens for many years and delivered eggs to many Durham residents to help support his young family. He also raised sheep and even had a goat named Mabel. His vegetable garden was a favorite of his family over the years. He enjoyed the planting season and would help Barbara put up bread and butter pickles at harvest time. He also enjoyed making wine using grapes, potatoes, elderberries and even dandelions. 

Bruce was an avid sports enthusiast. Whether it was baseball, football or basketball, he enjoyed them all, even coming to appreciate soccer which many of his grandchildren played and loved.

Bruce had been a member of the Moses Paul Lodge in Dover for many years.

Bruce was predeceased by his brothers, Kenneth, Irving, John, and Verne and one sister, Priscilla.

He is survived by his daughter, Crystal F. Mandell, of Yorba Linda, Calif. and her two children, Jeffrey S. Mandell and Daniel M. Mandell, both of California; a daughter, Celeste F. Dietterle and her husband, Paul "Buzz" Dietterle III of Newmarket and their children, Paul H. Dietterle IV of Portsmouth, Bruce N. Dietterle of Birmingham, Ala., Karl M. Dietterle, of Newmarket, and Erich J. Dietterle of Newmarket; one sister, Eleanor Littlefield of Rochester, and many nieces and nephews. 

A visiting hour will be held at the Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter St., Newmarket, on Monday, July 29th from 11 a.m. until noon, followed by a noon funeral service. Burial will follow in the Durham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Employees' Fund at Watson Fields, 201 Watson Road, Dover, N.H. 03820 for all the wonderful staff and nurses who were by his side day and night.

Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guest book.