He was born on Oct. 13, 1930, in Massena, N.Y., the son of Ray and Helen Barstow. His father worked in the family hardware store, and he had two brothers and a sister. He was a proud Eagle Scout.
He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1952 with a degree in geology. At Dartmouth he was co-captain of the ski team and developed into one of the nation’s finest alpine ski racers. He would continue racing well into his 60s, and he remained devoted to Dartmouth his entire life. It was at Dartmouth that he met his wife, Dorothy “Doffie” Tibbott of Newton, Mass., then a student at Mount Holyoke College. They married in 1953 and shared the next 61 years.
After graduate studies at McGill University in Canada and a few years of service in the U.S. Army, he eventually settled in Concord, Mass., where he raised his family, attended the Trinitarian Congregational Church and worked for nearly 30 years at the Polaroid Corporation. He collaborated closely with Polaroid’s co-founder, Dr. Edwin H. Land, and he was part of the team that developed Polaroid’s popular SX-70 camera. He earned several patents for inventions related to film and film processes.
After retiring, he and Doffie moved up to Maine, living in Bath, Brunswick and finally Cape Elizabeth. In addition to alpine and crosscountry skiing, he was an avid cyclist, sailor, hiker, flyfisher and canoeist. He adored taking photographs, especially of his family. He patiently hand-crafted beautiful furniture in his garage shop. He also carved some of the most elegant giant slalom turns ever seen at Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire. No one ever made a better bowl of popcorn. More than anything, he enjoyed teaching those he loved most the things he loved best.
He was predeceased by five beloved canine companions — Cindy, Rufus, Annie, Sammie and Toby.
He is survived by his wife Doffie and his four children, Brewer Barstow and Polly Wanzer, both of Portland, Maine; David Barstow of Glen Ridge, N.J.,and Chris Barstow of Bethel, Maine. He is also survived by his brothers Tom and Russell and by his seven grandchildren: Tricia Rose, 26; Dylan Barstow, 24; Maeliosa Barstow, 20; Lucy Wanzer, 18; Sam Wanzer, 14; Lucas Barstow, 8, and Rosie Barstow, 6. He also left three daughter-in-laws — Jean Barstow, Debbie Barstow and Nancy Barstow — and a son-in-law, Steve Wanzer.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at First Parish Church in Brunswick, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fred’s name to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, 84A Union St., Brunswick, ME 04011.
Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Fred’s online guest book.
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