Ernest F Batchelder

Ernest F. Batchelder, 99, of West Swanzey died on May 30, 2015. He was born December 20, 1915 to Ernest F. and G. Marion (Jacobs) Batchelder in Langdon, NH. At an early age he moved with his family to Alstead and, since there was no local high school at that time, attended and graduated from Bellows Falls High School. He continued his education in Boston graduating from Eastern Radio Institute. He also completed courses through The Capitol Radio Engineering Institute. He was a Certified Senior Broadcast Engineer and a lifetime member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.

On April 18, 1936 he married Floris L. Johnson, daughter of Elmer and Lela (Griffen) Johnson. At the time of her death in 2005, they were just a few months from celebrating their 70th anniversary. They had four children who survive them.

Ernest’s interest in radio began while he was young and continued throughout his life. With two adults, he strung telegraph lines across the village to communicate with each other using Morse code. He was a licensed Amateur Radio (“ham radio”) operator. Following radio school he was employed as a radio engineer at WNBX in Springfield, VT moving to Keene when the station did (at which time it changed its call letters to WKNE). He worked there for a number of years becoming Chief Engineer. During World War II, he served in the Navy before continuing at the radio station. In 1951, he made a career change and moved to Langdon to operate a dairy farm and sugarhouse. After ten years of farming, he returned to his position of Chief Engineer at WKNE and began a long time residence in West Swanzey. He brought the new technology for FM radio to WKNE. He went on to be a consultant for other radio stations in the area that were installing FM technology. Following retirement, Ernest enjoyed gardening, backyard sugaring, maintaining a large yard, and keeping current on technology. He and Floris also travelled back roads in several states and Canada, seeking out the old cemeteries for genealogy work she was following. They both always had things they were looking forward to doing. Their talents and interests were very different, but they always balanced each other in that way. He was an avid computer user, for everything from keeping in touch with his family to managing household business.

Survivors include their children and spouses: William R. and Simin H. Batchelder, Patricia B. and Paul L. Putnam, Kenneth H. and Eleanor K. Batchelder, Charles T. Batchelder and James M Cleary. Grand Children: Susan E. Batchelder, Linda (Putnam) Zukas, Kathryn J. Batchelder, Nancy (Putnam) and Martin J. Lavin, Bruce A. and Tammie F. Putnam, Pamela (Batchelder) and Robert H. Johnson, Dana E. and Laura G. Putnam, Eric D. and Dawn M. Batchelder. Great-Grandchildren: Brian G. Zukas, Heather E. Zukas, Angela N. Zukas, Timothy P. Lavin, George K. Siodis, Jr., Rachel A. Putnam, Matthew P. Lavin, Robert H. Johnson III, Meghan E. Putnam, Sarah L. Putnam, Eleanor E. Johnson, Emily G. Putnam. He is also survived by one sister, Gertrude Robbins of Langdon and nieces and nephews. Predeceasing him were his other sisters and brother: Mildred Gryszko, Dorothy Ring and Robert H. Batchelder.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 11:00 at the Fletcher Funeral Home. At the family’s request, there are no public calling hours and burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in Ernest F. Batchelder’s name, to the Swanzey Rescue Squad, c/o the Swanzey Fire Dept., PO Box 10009, Swanzey, NH 03446.

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com ), 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH 03431 has been entrusted with the arrangements.