Remembering Ken Bohr

To the Editor:

Bethel has been most fortunate in the scores of retirees who have chosen this town as the place for spending their final stages of life. A very diverse group with many talents and interests, these individuals have given most generously of themselves in extending every effort to enhance the community they found and employ all their creative powers to strengthen its cultural legacy.

Ken Bohr, who died this past week, was a remarkable example of this kind of retireee who worked harmoniously with “natives” and fellow “newcomers” alike in making the town even better and richer institutionally. The Mahoosuc Land Trust, Project Opportunity and the last Bethel Comprehensive Plan were all deeply influenced by his remarkable vision and energy.

Ken also served on the Board of the Bethel Historical Society, an instituion he and his late wife Gwyeth generously and enthusiastically supported for years.

Always low-key, but passionate about the outdoors and deeply interested in advancing the region’s quality of life, Ken should be held up as the quintessential “import” that any community would give almost anything to attract into its midst.

I shall long remember what a remarkable person Ken was and how very lucky Bethel has been in counting him amongst us these past twenty plus years.

To quote a Grange prayer in summing up Ken’s life, one can say without hesitation, “well-done, good and faithful servant.” And so he has conducted his life accordingly!

Stan Howe

Bethel