John R. ChamberlinJuly 2, 1941 - June 4, 2024

It is with great sadness that the family of John R. Chamberlin announces his death on June 4th from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was born, July 2, 1941, the son of Waldo and Kathryn Chamberlin, in Palo Alto, California. He grew up in Manhasset, Long Island, graduating from Manhasset High School in 1959. Working for three summers at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge inspired his lifelong love of the Lodge and the mountain.

After joining the Dartmouth Class of 1963, he became a brother of Phi Kappa Psi. He met his future wife, Anne Gellermann of Hanover, in 1962, and they were married in the White Church in Hanover in 1967. After his Dartmouth graduation, he became an Assistant Registrar for Columbia College of Columbia University where he stood with other faculty and administrators between the students and the police during the 1968 campus riots. For this act of foolish bravery, his picture was under the "W" on the cover of Newsweek! During his time at Columbia, he earned a Master's Degree from Teachers' College, Columbia, and took a year off to earn a second Master's Degree in War Studies from King's College, London.

Having returned to Columbia, he decided he did not want to follow his father and become a college professor so he went to work as an Operations Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. This led to an almost 30-year career, principally overseas in Europe. He and his family had three postings in Germany and one each in The Netherlands, Greece and The United Kingdom. The Dutch and Greek postings allowed him to introduce his family to his favorite sport: sailing. He bought the 26-foot Piet Hein first and later the larger Shannon. She had been found sailing herself, totally deserted, and was brought in by a passing freighter.

After his retirement in 1999, he and his wife returned to Hanover. To keep himself busy, he joined the Dresden School Board and became Chairman of the Grafton County Democrats. During his tenure on the school board, the Richmond School was built. He always considered it "his" school and referred to it as such. As Chairman of the Grafton County Dems, he delighted in driving around the county to the various town meetings and their potluck suppers.

In 2018, daughter Kate decided she wanted to live in Hanover where she could bring up her daughter— the absolute apple of her grandfather's eye. So, she bought the family home from her parents, and they made one last move-– to The Woodlands in Lebanon. There he was able to be active even as his Parkinson's worsened and was especially pleased when son Dan came back to the Upper Valley from Michigan.

He was predeceased by his parents, Kathryn (Kay) and Waldo (Spike) Chamberlin. He leaves his wife, Anne; his brother, David and sister-in-law, Linda; his daughter, Kathryn (Kate); his son, Daniel (Dan); his granddaughter, Meredith and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Bayada and Cornerstone Care of New England for the excellent care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to your favorite charity would be appreciated.

When asked where he wanted to be buried, he replied: "in a pub." So, there will be a memorial celebration for him at Salt Hill Pub in Lebanon, NH on July 20 from 3:00PM. Friends, please come. He loved a good party.