Hanover, NH

David Hammond Bradley, age 89, of Hanover, NH, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025.

Born on May 8, 1936, Dave was the fifth child of Homer Samuel Bradley, Sr. and Alice Isabel (Proctor) Bradley. He grew up in West Swanzey and attended elementary school there before graduating from Keene High School where, after graduating in 1954, he quarterbacked New Hampshire's team to victory over Vermont in the very first Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game.

Dave earned a Naval ROTC scholarship to Dartmouth College, where he received his AB degree and was commissioned as a naval officer in 1958. A standout athlete, Dave played football for Dartmouth and was named an All-New England quarterback in his senior year. In later years, he remained a loyal fan, often watching practices near his law office by Chase Field and rarely missing a home game—transistor radio in hand to follow the WDCR broadcast.

While still in college, Dave met the love of his life, Ann DeRoma, on a blind date arranged by his younger sister Nancy (a college friend of Ann's) after a Dartmouth–Holy Cross football game. Dave and Ann married on June 18, 1960, in Ann's hometown of East Walpole, Massachusetts. They shared 65 years of marriage and built a close and loving family. Dave is survived by Ann and their three sons: David Jr. (Karen), Jeffrey (Kathryn), and Christopher. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren—David III, Shane, Timothy, Emma, Dillon, Noah, and Rosa—and two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Josie.

After serving for three years as a naval officer on destroyers based out of Newport, RI, and Mayport, FL, Dave took what he fondly referred to as a "gap year" between college and law school, working as an admissions officer at Dartmouth. He later earned his JD from Harvard Law School in 1965.

Dave returned to New Hampshire to join the Hanover law firm now known as Stebbins Bradley, where he remained for his entire legal career. By the time he retired in 2017, he was the longest-practicing attorney in Grafton County. He also devoted time and leadership to the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, helping to grow its endowment in his later years.

Deeply committed to public service, Dave served on the Hanover and Dresden School Boards, as a trustee of Cardigan Mountain School for several decades, and as a longtime member of the Hanover Rotary Club (since 1970) and Hanover Improvement Society (since 1974). He was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1970, then to the State Senate in 1972, where he served three terms. In 1980, he ran for U.S. Senate, ultimately losing to Warren Rudman. Beginning in 1983, he served on the Character and Fitness Committee of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, chairing the committee from 1994 to 2017.

Dave also gave generously of his time to local causes. He was a devoted supporter and trustee of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and a familiar face in the annual Prouty bike ride. A spirited performer, he cherished his singing role as "Dave the Wave" in the doo-wop group The Charades, bringing joy to friends and neighbors across the Upper Valley.

One of Dave's most cherished places was the Dartmouth College Grant, where he found joy in fly-fishing, the company of good friends, and the tradition of twice-yearly family trips that created lasting memories for generations.

A memorial service will be held at The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College at 11:00 a.m. on June 27, 2025. In keeping with Dave's generous spirit, please consider making a donation to a charitable organization of your choice in his memory.

Funeral arrangements will be managed by Rand-Wilson Funeral Home.