David H. Bendroth

David H. Bendroth

In September, David "Papa" Harold Bendroth was diagnosed with a blood disease which, after an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant, transitioned into leukemia. On February 17th at 6:20 AM, after a hard fight and surrounded by his family at his home in Exeter, David climbed his final mountain in this world.

This is just one small chapter in a beautiful and inspirational life. David was many things: a friend, a brother, a son, a husband, a Papa, a believer, a church elder, a rock climber, a hiker, a cyclist, a lunch forgetter, a photographer, a story teller, a prankster, and so much more.

David was born in Massachusetts (we won't hold that against him) and raised in Exeter by his parents, Harold and Carolyn, with his older brother, Norman and his younger sister, Cindy. At a young age he cultivated his love for hiking and the outdoors; a love that he instilled in his children.

David spent 36 years married to the love of his life, Sue. Together they had four wild but loving children: Sam, Hannah, Rachel and Rebecca, whom he always encouraged to follow their dreams, no matter how crazy they may seem.

David worked as a house painter and part time at Travel and Nature, but his passion was photography. He filled his home with photos of everything from a rock climbing G.I. Joe, to the White Mountains, to fairies, to hairy spiders, to his children.

Although David died at age 57, his life did not lack for adventure and love. His witty jokes, his stupid jokes, his photography, his goofy grin, his odd love for Spam, his ridiculous voicemails and his endless love will be forever missed. But as his youngest daughter said, "Dont stop talking about him, don't stop remembering him. Every memory is a tribute to his amazing life." In the words of David " Get out of the wheat field, you are going against the grain."

An informal celebration gathering will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter. A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at the same place. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The family requests no flowers. If desired, donations may be made to Leukemia Discovery & Research Fund at Massachusetts General Hospital, ℅ Heidi Bergmeyer, Office of Development, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.

Parking ~

If parking lot is full at the funeral home, please park along Epping Road, not at the Mall next door where Front Row Pizza is located. Thank you.

Stockbridge Funeral Home invites you to post your entries of love and support for the family. All postings are monitored and any inappropriate posts will be immediately deleted. Thanks in advance for your respect for the family.

Celebration Gathering -