Walter F. St. Clair, Jr., 70, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at Parkland Medical Center, Derry after a short illness. Born in Philadelphia on July 2, 1932, he was the son of Dr. Walter and Olive St. Clair. He graduated from Manchester’s Central High School in 1950, and after service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War received a degree from the Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences. He married his high school sweetheart Sally Clark in 1954 and they lived briefly in Denver, Colorado before returning to New Hampshire and settling in Chester in 1958. He was a self-employed professional photographer and artist and an active member of the community of Chester. During his career Mr. St. Clair taught photography at St. Paul’s School in Concord and later founded the photography program at what is now Chester College. He served for many years as moderator of Chester’s annual town, school and church meetings. His community service included stints on the Chester School Board, as assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 163, as a member of the Chester Educational Trust, as a Great Hill Cemetery Trustee and in various capacities for the Chester Congregational Baptist Church. The Chester Lions Club named him Man of the Year in 1996. His passion was music. He was a dedicated euphonium player and organizer in many area brass bands including the Exeter Band, the N.H. National Guard Alumni Band, the Windham Band and the Epsom Band.
He is survived by his wife Sally, of Chester, two sons, Scott St. Clair, of Chester, Brett St. Clair of Dunbarton, one daughter Sally Ann Green, of Chester, five grandchildren.
A memorial service in his honor will be held Wednesday, March 19th at 7 p.m. at the Chester Congregational Baptist Church. A reception will follow. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund, Chester Congregational Baptist Church, P.O. Box 306, Chester, NH 03036.