O Ditson Welch

Rumford, ME - Dit Welch of Dixfield, Maine passed away at the age of 84 in Rumford on October 15, 2020. Born to Emma and Percy Welch, he grew up in the small Western Maine town of Dixfield. Dit was a proud graduate of Dirigo High School and went on to serve for four years in the Air Force. While stationed in Germany as a radio operator, he developed a love for VW Beetles. He managed to ship one home from Germany, and continued to drive Beetles until he finally graduated to a truck 30 years later.

After leaving the service, Dit attended Leland Powers School of Communication in Boston. He received his diploma in Radio, Television and Theatre. This is where he met and bonded with his lifelong friend, Hank. He came back to Maine, and worked at a small radio station, WRUM in Rumford before moving to the Portland area. There he landed a job as a newsman at WGAN radio and television. It was here that he met his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Crawford, a WGAN executive secretary. Dit and Betty were soon married and moved to Cape Elizabeth where they had their son Eric (Rick) and daughter Melissa (Missy). During this time, he went to work alongside Hank at the Portland Chamber of Commerce as their public relations and convention manager. He then returned to WGAN as a sales executive, conversing with many local businesses and selling spots on the radio. Eventually, they moved their little family to Raymond, Maine where they had a modest ranch house built in a Sebago Lake community.

Leaving the news station after many years, Dit went on to work for the Town of Raymond as one of their first head dispatchers. He worked there for many years before becoming a fill-in dispatcher for the Maine Turnpike Authority. This eventually led to his final career in sign making for the MTA creating many of the ‘big green highway road signs’ still seen today. He once told us that he was asked by a state policeman to bring a speed limit sign into court as proof that it would be very hard to miss seeing the five foot tall speed limit sign that the defendant said he hadn’t noticed.

As a craftsman, in ‘75 he began a small business called Conifercraft in which he created wooden signs. One can still be seen hanging in the halls of Raymond’s Jordan Small School. He expanded into engraving, crafting name plates, badges, tags, trophies, plaques, etc. After learning new techniques at the MTA sign-shop, he incorporated signs with vinyl lettering, and eventually tinkered with personalized printing and sublimation.

Dit loved sports, played baseball and football at Dirigo High School, and later coached his young son’s Raymond Little League. He then donned an umpire uniform for the area’s Little League teams. In fact, his umpire gear was kept in the ‘front trunk’ of his VW Beetle. He dabbled in many hobbies such as gardening, a skill passed on from his father, and CB and Ham radio operating, not to mention many woodworking projects in his basement shop. He liked to snorkel and go boating. Dit was also an amateur photographer, and, whenever he was in the right place at the right time, he would take newsworthy photos to accompany published current events, such as accidents, fires and human interest stories. He fashioned a strong work ethic and was always busy doing something.

Dit was charming and personable, thereby good with people. He also had a kind and generous heart, unequivocally evident in his care for his beloved dogs and cats. After some convincing by his daughter, he became especially fond of Golden Retrievers as the breed of choice. Over the decades, his faithful golden companions were Ginger, Lucky, Faith and Dixie. In retirement, Dit moved back to his hometown where he built a small house on the land where his father taught him to garden. He also became an active member of the Swasey-Torrey American Legion Post #100 in Dixfield and served as the adjutant for several years. He was also a member of the King Hiram Lodge #57.

Dit had a full life and gifted us with rich memories that we will cherish.

He is predeceased by: his wife Elizabeth Crawford Welch; brother O. Daniel Welch and wife Phylis; and, his parents Percy and Emma Welch.

Left to cherish his memory are: son Eric Welch and wife Donalyn; daughter Melissa Welch; granddaughter Chelsea Welch; nephews Jay Welch and Todd Welch; niece Leslie Welch Ingram; several cousins; best friend Hank Gale; and, his two cats Thumper and Boomer. Private services may be held at a later time.

For those who wish to, please consider sending a donation in Dit’s memory to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society or to Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills.