EAST MONTPELIER-Richard “Dick” S Staudt of East Montpelier by way of Ann Arbor, Bari, Huntsville, and Saginaw headed off on his next adventure on 6/9/2026. After blessing us with 91 years of humor, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, he will be reunited with Jane Marie - the love of his life.

Dick met Jane in Saginaw, MI - his hometown and the first stop on Jane’s round-the-world plan with three nursing friends. All the girls found husbands in Saginaw; luckily Jane met someone adventurous who shared her desire to see the world. Together, they traveled all over North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. In later years they enjoyed many cruises and winters in St. Croix with like-minded friends - though they were always back in time for town meeting!

Dick’s talent for building—and for making the most of every inch of space—allowed him to pack seemingly unlimited things into the smallest of places. One summer he built an organizer for the van that held camping gear, clothing for 6 people, and a mini-kitchen - and off we went on vacation. Among his many projects were Redstone rockets with Chrysler; enhanced educational programs with the State of Vermont Department of Education; a consulting business focused on educational initiatives; the Wedgewood Health Club and Ironwood Golf Center; and the house of his dreams, transformed from an old farmhouse on North Street. The family treasures many pieces of furniture he created along the way and has eaten well from his extensive gardens.

Family was at the center of Dick’s life and involved in most of his adventures, ranging from summer trips to Baskatong Lake to a 5-week tour of Europe with kids from 8 to 13 to a Caribbean cruise 18 months ago. Dick and Jane’s family includes children Erin, Kevin, Tamara, Megan, and Kristyn; foster daughter Kelli; grandchildren Bianca, Casey, Lindsey, Parker, Elizabeth, Grayson, Aiden, and Isabella; great-grandchildren Wesley and Addison; nephew Sascha; and Fresh Air kids, exchange students, and whatever stray friends the children brought home for holidays. Dick and Jane attended as many family events as possible from kindergarten recitals to graduations to sporting events too numerous to mention.

Dick raised and showed Irish Wolfhounds - a number of whom won Best of Show in Wolfhound Specialties. Dick and Jane were very involved with the Irish Wolfhound Association of NE and ran the gift shop for many years. As a proud alumnus of the University of Michigan, Dick closely followed the teams. A final gift was the National Championship during March Madness - there was much rejoicing. Go Blue!

Dick shared his love of singing with the family - very helpful for the 10-hour trip from Michigan to relatives in Maine. He was an avid reader, automobile fan, and enjoyed old westerns and Doris Day movies. Dick was predeceased by his wife, Jane Lindsey Staudt, his parents, Richard Staudt and Irene Kulbach Staudt, and his brother, Alexander Van der Bellen.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.guareandsons.com