Contoocook, NH – After a brief illness, Clarke L. Kidder passed away on December 16, 2025. He was born (September 21, 1943) in Upstate New York, which is where he met his wife of 61 years, Judith A. (Flood) Kidder. The couple moved to Contoocook in 1975.
For decades, Clarke was a telecommunications engineer at area companies, including TDS. He cherished his community, serving as a Hopkinton selectman and planning board member. He was also very active with his church, the Lions Club, the Boy Scouts, the Telephone Association of New England, and the Telephone Museum in Warner.
Sociable and quick to laugh (he loved a good pun), Clarke enjoyed history, technology, carpentry, photography (covered bridges were favorite subjects), and RVing. His father was a railroad man, so Clarke also had a lifelong passion for trains. He was ever willing to lend a hand, and all who knew him respected his integrity, intelligence, and dedication.
In addition to his wife, Clarke is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Laura M. Kidder and Denis T. Kingston; his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew C. and Kristina (Brierre) Kidder; and two grandchildren, Dean (19) and Paige (17) Kidder.
Services will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton at 10 am on Saturday, February 28.
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