Lester E. "Mitch" Mitchell, 90, of Campton, passed away March 2, 2012, at Mountain Ridge Care Center in Franklin. A Campton native born July 29, 1921, Mitch was one of seven children born to Lester and Ethel Mitchell.
After attending Campton and Plymouth schools, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, served overseas, and was mustered out in 1945. He married Rita Hammond in 1950.
Mitch joined his father in the family auctioneering, freight hauling, and maple syrup businesses, and was a master carpenter and logger who owned his own construction business. He also worked for NH Fish & Game, helping to restore the Old Man of the Mountain, and grooming public snowmobile trails in winter.
He held various Campton town offices, including Supervisor of the Checklist for 17 years, and was a police officer for 7 years and Chief for 3. He and his father shared 60 years of service to the Town of Campton as school and Town Moderators.
Mitch was also an active member of the Neighborfest Organization and Campton Old Home Days, where he was honored to serve as Grand Marshall in the 2008 parade. He was a founding member of the Campton Historical Society, serving two terms as President, and was later named director emeritus. He was also involved in several Campton Town Hall restoration projects.
An avid historian, Mitch researched town records and developed a list of all persons buried in the many Campton cemeteries. He also worked with a local Eagle Scout to create a children's memorial monument at the Campton Elementary School.
An active member of the VFW and various other veterans' organizations, Mitch was instrumental in the Campton/Thornton Veteran's Memorial installation.
He is survived by his wife Rita; daughters Martha Rice of Yakima, WA, and Sarah Sutherland of Campton; niece Dottie Mae Anderson and husband Tom of Thornton; sisters Alice Chapman of Brattleboro, VT, and Arlene Horton of Chula Vista, CA; grandchildren Craig Rice, Anna Rice, both of Yakima, WA, Molly Sutherland of Boonville, CA, and Jill Sutherland, Campton; and great-grandchildren Elliot and Abigail Sutherland Crangle, Isaiah Rice, and Ella Hunter; and several nieces and nephews. His brother, Harold "Bud" Mitchell, sisters Ruth Loring, Mildred Shepard, Lilla Sjostrand, and grandson Jason Rice predeceased him.
Mitch loved his community and worked hard to improve it. He made a difference.
Donations may be made in Mitch's memory to the Campton Historical Society. A memorial gathering is being planned for the spring.