Obituaries
• Thaddeus “Thad” Betts, 87, died peacefully at home Feb. 16, 2026, after a period of declining health. He was born in Brattleboro Aug. 16, 1938, to Benjamin D. Betts and Eleanor (Townsend) Betts. Much of his life, growing up and in adulthood, was spent at “Staghead Farm,” his parents’ horse farm, which he loved. He attended schools in Dummerston and Brattleboro, but graduated from Poquoson (Va.) High School, where his family had relocated. After high school, he enlisted in the Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Division. He graduated from jump school in 1957 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, earning his Paratrooper wings. During his time in the Army, he participated in more than 30 jumps. He was stationed overseas for a period in Formosa (modern day Taiwan). After his enlistment ended, he attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, earning a B.S. in civil engineering. He married his first wife, Phyllis Eleanor Stone Ryder, in Putney on Christmas Eve, 1960. While together, they lived in Randolph, Putney, and Dummerston. They had two sons together. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974. He married again in 1980 to Cherrie Schreiber. They lived together for over 20 years in Williamsville and Dummerston, with their beloved dog, Sporty. As a professional engineer, most of his career was spent in Vermont, initially working for Dubois & King in Randolph then for Southern Vermont Engineering (SVE) with the exception of a short duration working for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He returned back to Vermont after some disillusionment with governmental waste and bureaucracy. Over the years, many different buildings, structures, and systems around Windham County and beyond benefitted from Thad’s engineering skill and expertise. He took great pride in designing and building correctly to last and endure. Whatever seriousness he exhibited in his professional life, he balanced in his “off” time. Thad knew how to have a good time. He thoroughly enjoyed friendly competition. During his life he was involved with multiple different teams and leagues around town competing in bowling, pool, darts, golf, and softball, as well as other sports and activities. At one point, he was part of a pool team representing Mort’s Roadhouse that traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, to compete in the National Pool Competition. They brought no trophy home but according to all, “a good time was had!” One other great interest in his life was skiing. He was an avid skier for the majority of his life. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol for over 30 years, much of it spent at Maple Valley Ski Area in Dummerston. In addition, he enjoyed gardening, golf, horseshoes, occasional fishing, and spending time with friends and family. Thad was well known for having a friendly disposition, greeting most everyone with a bright smile, and his laugh was memorable. Many considered him to be a friend as he considered so many to be his friends. He stated recently that he was grateful to have lived a good life. Thad is survived by Swannie Mullen, son Aaron Betts and wife Dawn Hastings, son Matthew Betts, brother Ben and wife Vickie Betts, grandson Porter Mullen, to whom he was father and grandfather, as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Sally Whiddon and grandson Calijah Lindval. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be planned for the spring. Donations to Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro and the Windham County Humane Society.
• John H. Caldwell, 97, of Putney. Died Feb. 27, 2026. Husband, father, teacher, Olympian, coach, author, and one of the most influential figures in the history of American cross-country skiing, his life celebrated the importance of family and helped shape the future of a sport in the United States. Born Nov. 28, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, Caldwell spent his early childhood in Pennsylvania before moving with his family to Putney in 1941. John inherited a long tradition of independence, curiosity, and engagement with the world. Rather than follow a conventional path, he helped build something entirely new. In Putney, amid the hills and long winters of Vermont, he first discovered skiing, an activity that would become central to his life’s work. He attended Dartmouth College where he competed as a four-event skier: cross-country, jumping, downhill, and slalom at a time when versatility defined the sport. In 1952, Caldwell competed in the Winter Olympics in Oslo as a member of the U.S. team in Nordic combined. The experience was formative. Competing against the well-established Scandinavian and other European programs, Caldwell recognized the significant gap between the United States and its international counterparts in training, technique, and infrastructure. He later described the experience as humbling, but it became the catalyst for a lifetime of work. Returning to Vermont, Caldwell joined the faculty at The Putney School as a math teacher. He married Hester Goodenough and together started a family. With their four children, they gardened, sugared, made home brew, and took Wednesday saunas that became a family and community tradition. Caldwell organized Thanksgiving Day walks and community picnics to celebrate the seasons. He was active in the civic life of the town and served as president of Windham County Waste Management, president of the Vermont Sugar-Makers Association, and was Putney’s Town Moderator. In Putney, Caldwell quietly built what would become one of the most important centers of cross-country skiing in the United States. With a combination of analytical rigor and hands-on experimentation, he refined training methods and technique while teaching generations of students — both in the classroom and on the trails. Soon there was a steady stream of accomplished skiers coming from Putney — many of whom would go on to compete at national and international levels. Caldwell’s influence was not confined to elite athletes; he had a rare ability to make the sport accessible, engaging, and meaningful for beginners as well as champions. Over time, his work expanded to the national stage. Caldwell served as coach of the U.S. cross-country ski team for multiple Olympic Games — 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1984 — helping to professionalize and elevate the sport in the United States. He was also instrumental in developing opportunities for women in cross-country skiing, helping to establish and support the U.S. women’s program at a time when such opportunities were limited. He was a founder of the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) which became a cornerstone of organized Nordic skiing in the region. Through this and other efforts, he helped create the competitive structure, coaching networks, and youth development pathways that continue to support American skiing today. Perhaps no single contribution reached as many people as his writing. His book, The Cross-Country Ski Book, first published in 1964, became the definitive guide to the sport for generations of skiers. Clear, thoughtful, and practical, it demystified technique and training and helped bring cross-country skiing into the mainstream. With more than half a million copies sold, it remains one of the most influential books ever written on the subject. As American skiing matured, Caldwell’s early vision began to bear fruit. Among those he coached and mentored was Bill Koch, who became the first American to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing in 1976. His children and many of his grandchildren became deeply woven into the sport’s history, some competing internationally and in the Olympics. His son, Sverre, continued John’s love of coaching and helped develop scores of skiers over the course of his career. Over the course of his life, Caldwell came to be known — affectionately, and with deep respect — as the “father” or “grandfather” of cross-country skiing in America. The title reflects not only his achievements, but the breadth of his influence: teacher, innovator, mentor, and builder of a community. He was inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1983 and later into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame, honors that recognized what those close to the sport had long known: His contributions to the sport were instrumental to its growth. Yet those who knew John Caldwell best often speak less about titles and accomplishments and more about how he lived. He approached skiing — and life — with curiosity, energy, and a willingness to experiment. He believed deeply in learning by doing, in the value of persistence, and in the importance of sharing knowledge generously. Whether working with beginners or elite athletes, he brought the same enthusiasm and attention. John Caldwell believed in the simple, enduring value of being outdoors — of moving through winter landscapes on skis, of effort and rhythm, and of the quiet satisfaction it brings. At the end of his life, his primary focus was on family. He followed the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with delight. John and Hep knew their grandchildren well, a result of “Camp Caldwell,” a series of mini-camps for their 10 grandchildren. They nurtured family ties, promoted the benefits of physical labor, and cultivated a respect and love for each other and the natural world. Their grandchildren called John “Grumps” — a term of endearment. He was predeceased by his wife, Hester “Hep” Caldwell, and by his youngest child, Jennifer. He is survived by his children, Tim, Sverre, and Peter; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A service will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, at 1:30 p.m., at The Putney School. Donations to NENSA (nensa.net/giving) to support youth skiing, outdoor education, and causes that reflect John’s lifelong commitments.
• William Joseph “Bill” Meckle, 83, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, Feb. 28, 2026. Bill was born in Narrowsburg, New York, Feb. 25, 1943, the son of Herbert and Mabel (Drake) Meckle. He was raised and educated in Narrowsburg. A proud veteran, Bill served in the Army during the Vietnam War era and was honorably discharged. He went on to work in a variety of capacities, including as an owner-operator of his own trucking business based in Narrowsburg. In 1975, Bill moved to Vermont with his wife and five children, with one more on the way. He soon went to work for the Boston & Maine Railroad, initially as a trackman and, later, as a truck driver delivering heavy equipment and supplies. He retired after more than 30 years of hard work, guided by an impeccable work ethic and a deep commitment to caring for his family. He was also a member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. An ardent outdoorsman, Bill grew up working the eel rack in the Delaware River and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling. After retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively in their RV, visiting nearly every continental U.S. state and exploring Alaska. He was rarely seen without his New York Yankees cap. A “jack of all trades,” Bill designed and constructed his own home, including the carpentry, plumbing, heating, and electrical work. He was clever, sharp, and witty and was gifted with a wonderful sense of humor. Somewhat quiet and unassuming, he was also known for his generosity and warm spirit. Most importantly, he was a devoted and loving family man whose life centered around his family. He especially cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On Oct. 26, 1963, he married Diana R. Hurlburt, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 62 years, he leaves his six children, Laura Moore of Arcata, California, Tammy Sargent (Jon) of Guilford, Billie-Jo Gouger (Jeff) of Newfane, Ken Meckle (Shannon) of East Dover, Jeanette (Jody) of Albany, Georgia, and Tracie Butler of Murray, Utah. Additionally, he is survived by 17 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was predeceased by two sisters, Florence Vosburgh and Eleanor Nober, and a brother, Herbert Meckle. Memorial information: Bill will be interred in Sadawga Cemetery in Whitingham with military honors at a future date when the cemetery reopens in the springtime. Donations to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. To offer condolences,visit atamaniuk.com.
• Diana Vogel Toomey, 79, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully at home Feb. 26, 2026, surrounded by her family. Diana was a woman of boundless curiosity, a scientific mind, and a generous heart. Her life was lived with intention and joy: full of learning, playfulness, and appreciation of the small things. She cared deeply for her friends and family, never forgetting a birthday or an anniversary. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, she delighted in her three children and five grandchildren, following their interests and accomplishments with pride and enthusiasm. Diana was born in Portland, Maine, the daughter of Frederick W. Vogel and Maude Horner Vogel. Her father was her childhood hero, and some of her happiest memories were of summers spent exploring the coast of Maine on his boat and playing on the beach in Falmouth with her cousin Carol. Her father died in 1978, but she and her mother were blessed to have many more years of close friendship before Maude’s death in 2004. Diana devotedly cared for her mother in her final years. The memories and friendships from her childhood and high school years in Bellows Falls were a sustaining force throughout her life. Diana knew her future husband, Bill Toomey, from infancy: Their parents, who played bridge together, would place them in the same crib. Years later, she found she was captivated by his quick wit, poet’s heart, and ability to spin a yarn. They shared interests not only in literature, but also in music; she was a talented flautist. They fell in love, and Diana favored Bill with her hand in marriage in 1969, a union that would last 56 years. Early in their marriage, Bill and Diana traveled to the Netherlands and Switzerland, where their first two children, Sebastian and Anneke, were born. After their return to the States, their third child, Theron, was born in the hospital just across the street from her parents’ house. Diana took on the challenges of motherhood with zeal. She and Bill often took direct responsibility for their children’s education, tutoring them in math, science, history, English, and foreign languages. Her gardening was another point of pride, and she cultivated beautiful flower beds and vegetable gardens where her children played, dreamed, and grazed on the fruits of her labor. Diana earned her B.A. cum laude in English literature from Wheaton in 1968, and she placed great value on academic achievement and the pursuit of knowledge throughout her life. For many years, she worked at Misty Valley Books in Chester, a role that suited her perfectly. She loved bookselling and delighted in helping customers find just the right book. An avid book collector herself, she built a remarkable personal library spanning science, education, economics, architecture, and leadership. Her extensive vocabulary and competitive streak made her a formidable opponent at Bananagrams or any other word game. She also gave generously of her time and talents to the community. A champion for literacy and education, she served on the elementary school and public library boards in Grafton. She had a fantastic head for numbers; she could do everything from chairing a meeting to writing a grant proposal, and was a tiger at wrestling financial records into submission. In recent years, she served on the board of the nonprofit Julia’s Way, where she played an indispensable role in bringing its pioneering book Breastfeeding & Down Syndrome to publication. Diana fought and beat breast cancer twice over the course of her life. She faced her final illness, stage IV lung cancer, with bravery and grace. Diana never smoked and was surprised to learn how common lung cancer is among nonsmokers, particularly women. She would want others to be aware and seek screening. Diana is survived by her husband, Bill Toomey; her three children, Sebastian (Janna Cordeiro), Anneke (Edward Perry), and Theron; grandchildren Oscar, Diana, Ivan, and Isadora Perry, and Ava Toomey-Cordeiro; two step-grandchildren: Max Perry and Jacqueline Perry; sister-in-law Deborah Toomey (David Whittall); nephew Julian Rutledge and niece Anna Rutledge; cousins Carol Galloway, Monica Horner, and Glenn Horner (Diane); as well as dear friends who are considered family: Janet and David Curran, Gudrun Taubenberger, Desiree Herzfeld, Alysoun Johansson, Ailyn Hoey, Valerie Rooney, Ella Cullen, and the Brelsford family. Diana will always live in our hearts. Memorial information: At the convenience of the family, a memorial gathering will be held later in the year. Donations may be made to the Grace Cottage Foundation in Townshend (gracecottage.org).
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