Donald Spalding

Donald R. Spalding passed away from natural causes at the age of 89 in his home on Knothole Road in Whitefield , NH on December 12, 2024.

Although Donald spent the bulk of his life working and living in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire, he was actually born in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 10, 1935. His parents, Randall and Anna Spalding, were actively involved in the resort hotel industry and they managed for many years a resort in St Petersburg when the Spalding Inn and Lawn Bowling Club was closed for the winter months.

Donald was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Dartmouth College, and he received his Masters Degree in Geology from John’s Hopkins University. His first job after graduate school was with the State of Connecticut Highway Department as its Chief Geologist. Thereafter, he returned to Whitefield to assume various roles in management at The Spalding Inn and Lawn Bowling Club. Following the sale of the Spalding Inn in 1985, he joined the Groveton Paper Mill, serving as a chemist until the mill closed in 2007. His first marriage was to Sandra Rossire in 1964 which ended in divorce, and his second marriage was to Bonnie Boswell, which also ended in divorce. Notwithstanding, Bonnie and Donald remained friends until the date of his passing.

Donald was a devoted and caring son to his parents. In their elder years, he played a vital role in assisting them with daily affairs and support. Many will attest that Donald had a brilliant mind and an equally keen wit. His interests in life included music (harpsichord and choral), civil war history, land use regulation in New Hampshire and gardening, an endeavor he picked up in his later years, focusing on maintaining his mom’s garden at Greycote on Mountain View Road in Whitefield. Other interests included running the July 4th fireworks shows at the Spalding Inn for many years and spending time in the outdoors harvesting, splitting and seasoning firewood for his wood burning stove, an activity he maintained until his passing.

Donald was preceded in death by his younger brother David Spalding, his older brother Edward (Ted) Spalding, his parents Anna and Randall Spalding, his sister in law Hilda (Jackie) Spalding, his nephew Winslow (Red) Spalding, his older brother William (Bud) Spalding and his great great niece Saylor Spalding. He is survived by his sister-in-law Topsy Spalding and a bevy of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Grave side services will be held at the Summer Street Cemetery in Lancaster, NH on May 30, 2024 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 113 Main Street Lancaster, NH 03584-3028.