Robert W. Kidder

Robert “Bob” Kidder, 85, of Groveton, NH died peacefully on November 25th after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born in Rumford, Maine, Bob grew up in Groveton and Stark. He attended the Stark Village School and the St. Johnsbury Trade School where he learned the construction trade. After starting a family, Bob moved to Lancaster and started Kidder Construction, Inc. Over the next 30 years, he completed many construction projects throughout the north country.

Civic responsibility was important to Bob. In the 1970s, he was a member and past president of the Lancaster Rotary Club and the Mt. Prospect Ski Club. Bob was also a member of the SAU 36 Building Committee in the 1990s and helped bring forward the project to build the two elementary schools in Lancaster and Whitefield that exist today.

Bob was a dedicated member of the Pew Owners Association of the Stark Union Church. He served as the Association’s president for 29 years and then served as an Honorary Trustee, a position he held until his passing. He was actively involved in fundraisers such as the Stark Fiddlers Contest, raising money to preserve this historic landmark. During the 1980s, Bob replaced the Church’s foundation and the covered bridge’s roof, two projects he was incredibly proud of.

Bob was an ardent Red Sox fan. One of his greatest joys was watching the Red Sox, especially when they won the World Series in 2004. Bob attended Red Sox Fantasy Camps for several years where he befriended many baseball legends including Luis Tiant and Jim Rice. Being able to pitch on the mound at Fenway Park was one of his special memories.

Bob also loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his entire life. In his later years, he traveled extensively throughout the United States. He encouraged everyone he knew to do the same.

Despite his success as a businessman, Bob suffered from severe dyslexia. For years, only his closest friends and family knew his secret and how not being able to read impacted every aspect of his life. It wasn’t until Bob was in his 50’s that, with the assistance of tutor Joan Collins at the Northeast Kingdom Learning Services in St. Johnsbury, VT, Bob learned to read and became more public about his struggle. He represented the State of Vermont in Washington, DC in the late 1990’s at several national literacy conferences to help bring awareness and reduce the stigma of illiteracy. Throughout the remainder of his life, he continued to speak openly about his challenges in the hope that others with reading difficulties would seek help.

Bob is survived by his four daughters, Lori Lane and husband John of Rochester, NH; Cami Divine and husband Doug of Costa Rica; Kristi Kidder and wife Amanda of California, and Kerri Burns and partner Phil of Biddeford, Maine. His grandchildren include Conner Lane and wife Addy of Hooksett, Keelin Lane of Sparks, Nevada, and Charlotte and Wesley Burns of Biddeford, Maine. He had one great-granddaughter, Chloe also of Hooksett. Bob had several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Patrick of Groveton and his grandparents, Robert and Zilpha (Lee) Emerson of Stark.

Bob’s family would like to thank his many friends and caregivers who provided support and companionship during the last few months of his life. Bob loved to tell stories so thank you for spending time with him, hearing his memories, and sharing a laugh with him.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring 2026. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pew Owners Association of the Stark Union Church, www.starkunionchurch.org, to help with the upkeep of this iconic symbol of New Hampshire.