Richard Wilson, DMD Obituary

Richard Eastwood Wilson, DMD (aka Dick or Doc), age 78, passed away early on Monday morning June 23, 2025 after a period of failing health.  He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Harriet (Keene) Wilson; his son Nathan and wife Julie Wilson of Valley Park, Missouri; his daughter Rachel Wilson, MD, of Viroqua, Wisconsin; his brother David Wilson and wife Donna Belloli of North Dighton, Massachusetts, and Chocorua, New Hampshire; his brother Skip and wife Karen Wilson of Hanover, Massachusetts; and several nephews and nieces.

Dick was born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, first child of Elliot and Julia (Dodge) Wilson, and graduated from Weymouth High School in 1964.  Following 2 years of service in the United States Army (July 1967 – July 1969), which included one year in the infantry and the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol in Vietnam, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts (Boston) and subsequently Tufts University School of Dentistry (class of 75 A).  He and Harriet moved to Brookfield, New Hampshire in 1975 where he practiced dentistry for nearly 40 years.  He was a 22-year member of the Wakefield Area Ambulance Corps, serving as a volunteer EMT.  He was a member of the Wakefield JayCees.  An Eagle Scout himself, he was also assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout troop 198 in Wakefield.

Dick was an avid camper, canoer and kayaker; he canoed most of the major rivers in northern New England and circumnavigated New England and Canada’s maritime provinces by kayak. He then wrote a book about those adventures, Add Water and Stir.  He and Nathan canoed the Allagash Wilderness Waterway; he and Rachel canoed both the Kennebunk and the Androscoggin Rivers.  He also led several shorter trips with the Boy Scouts.

A fixture of the community at the Diner or Lino’s every morning with his coffee and journal, he will be sorely missed.

Visiting hours will be held at the Peaslee Funeral Home in Sanbornville, New Hampshire on Friday, June 27 from 4pm - 6pm.  A Celebration of Dick’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Wakefield in Wakefield Village at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 28.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Tufts University School of Dentistry, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, or a charity of your choice.