Richard Edward Emerson of Hampstead passed away on Sunday, August 18, at the age of 83. He passed away peacefully in the company of his family.
Throughout his life, Richard had a passion for the study of Horticulture and Plant Science, eventually being honored as a Lifetime member of New Hampshire Plant Growers Association.
A Hampstead native, Richard was born in 1941 to Glendon and Grace Emerson, the eldest son and one of five siblings. Richard spent nearly his entire life in his family’s local community; leaving Hampstead only to pursue higher education, first studying Horticulture/Plant Science at the University of New Hampshire and then pursuing his PhD in Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin. Richard completed his Masters degree before returning with his family to Hampstead to build their home on Emerson Avenue.
Richard taught Plant Science for more than 30 years at the Essex Agricultural and Technical High School (Essex Tech) in Hathorne (Danvers), Massachusetts. He eventually rose to be the Department Head of Horticulture, but regardless of his other responsibilities, he always taught a full slate of classes, because he loved teaching.
Richard is best known in the community as the owner of Emerson Avenue Greenhouses which he started in his own backyard in 1977. Richard and his wife Carole (Jean) grew Emerson Avenue Greenhouses into a thriving local business, supplying annual flowers and flowering perennials to aspiring gardeners in Hampstead and the surrounding communities every summer season for decades. After his retirement from Essex Tech, Richard and Carole continued to operate Emerson Avenue Greenhouses until their retirement.
While Richard took great pride in his greenhouses and flowering plants, he saved his greatest love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Carole, of 58 years, his four children and their spouses: Eric and Stacia, David and Kristen, Matthew and Mary, and Katherine and Scott, and nine wonderful grandchildren: Rhiannon, Mikayla, Soren, Annika, Zari, Alexis, Leo, Eliana, and Violet.
At Richard’s request, there will be no memorial service.