Ralph Otterson

WASHINGTON - Ralph Otterson, 68, died Jan. 8.

For nearly four decades, Ralph and Wendy Otterson's home near the center of Washington served as a meeting place for countless friends. During Ralph's brief stay at Concord Hospital, many of those same friends stopped by to laugh about old times before he passed away on Sunday.

Ralph spent his entire life in Washington, attending Washington Center School, graduating from Hillsboro-Deering High School in 1961 and joining the Washington Volunteer Fire Department at the young age of 16. He went on to serve the fire department for 44 years.

Following graduation, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years, even being stationed in Korea while his daughter, Nina, was being born in 1965. Upon return to the States, he was hired by Public Service of New Hampshire as a meter man. In his over 38 years of service to that company, Ralph earned the position of foreman and achieved a record of perfect attendance.

Ralph was an avid outdoorsman, from hunting and fishing to snowmobiling and four wheeling. These pursuits were where he shared the best of times with friends and his skill as an upland game hunter resulted in several published stories about him in sporting magazines, including "Partridge by Appointment" written by Angus Cameron and appearing in Grey's Sporting Journal in 1978. Ralph served on the school board for the Town of Washington and was a proud member of American Legion Post 59.

Ralph was predeceased by Wendy, his wife of 44 years, in 2006, and his father Fred Otterson.

He is survived by his daughter, Nina Carter and her husband, Steve, of Hillsborough; his brother Ben of Newport; his sister, Linda, who lives in New Mexico; and his sister, Katherine, who lives in Florida. Ralph leaves behind two grandchildren, Ryan and Angela Lunderville, as well as three step-grandchildren, Isabelle, Rebecca and Jacob Carter, and two great-grandchildren, Blake Lunderville and Alexis Trottier.

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SERVICES: A celebration of life service will be held at the American Legion Post 59 on Saturday, Jan. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. with a graveside service following in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Washington Rescue Squad.

For more information, go to holtwoodburyfh.com.