Fred Glidden Jr. ... former Farm Service Supt. at UNH; at 85

DOVER - Fred A. Glidden Jr., 85, died Thursday, March 28, 2024, and has gone on to be with our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.

Born July 26, 1938, in Wolfeboro at home, the son of Fred A. Glidden Sr., and Evelyn B. (Thibeau) Abbot. He was raised in Rochester on the Verne and Mary Fowler Dairy Farm where he had milked cows each day before and after school. He graduated from Spaulding High, class of 1957. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America and served as New Hampshire FFA Vice President in 1958. He attended the Thompson School of Applies Science (UNH).

Before retiring in 2003 he and his wife did contract work for the Trust for Public Land and lived at Lake Tarleton in Piermont, working as Property Superintendent of 5,200 Acres (Lake Tarleton Land Management).

He enjoyed working with dairy cattle and the land that gave him the opportunity with diversity. He chose the kind of work that many would call their hobby. He loved what he did and by all accounts was a very hard dedicated worker. He prided himself in his work and had many mechanical skills. He accepted challenges and changing technology with enthusiasm. It was very important that every job was done well and lasted for years. As part of his natural character, he was a prudent organizer.

In the early 1960's he was selected from over 200 candidates across the U.S. to work as Farm Manager of New England Selective Breeding Association in Woodbridge, Conn. He was the first one to distribute bull semen, frozen in liquid nitrogen, to New England Breeding Technicians for Artificial Inseminating Cattle; first stop Montpelier, VT. This liquid nitrogen freezing process was developed closely with University of Connecticut, doing much of their research work on location in Woodbridge CT. He had met many rich and famous hobby farmers in the Northeast as he collected semen from their bulls on their farms. These farmers also owned many of the high-priced breeding bulls of that era and were among the first to use this new service. These acquaintances provided more opportunities for him as time went on.

He came back to New Hampshire after the few bull farms located in the Northeast had merged into one Breeding Co-operative and moved West. He accepted the 'Farm Service Superintendent' position at the University of New Hampshire. In charge of all the farmland and machinery; provided feed and services for all the various livestock departments.

He often said; "I've learned something from everybody I have ever worked with". This inspiration of learning and needing new experiences took him to many places to include, Berwick Academy, South Berwick, Maine 'Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds'. He and his wife had worked in New York for David and Peggy Rockefeller. Our Dad was a student of Bible Prophecy. He loved Jesus and was looking forward to that meeting.

Fred was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Priscilla (Lemieux) Glidden in 2019. A wife that's had been far more precious than jewels. Side by side sharing and devoting their lives with each other. They both valued their many friends they met along the way. Survived by two children, Kevin and his wife, Susie of Brownville, ME; Gail Cushing and partner Dale Rodney of Farmington, N.H.; Four grandchildren, Heather and husband Kyle Feather, Brian and wife Jessica, Christopher and partner Casey, Rebecca and husband Kevin Gerrish. He is also survived by his seven great grandchildren, Kase Feather, Alexandria Glidden, Alexander Glidden, Kay-Lynn Gerrish, Cameron Glidden, Jamie Glidden and Kinsley Gerrish. He was predeceased by one brother, Allen Glidden and one sister, Bertha Trask.