1932 – 2016

AUBURN — Alfred W. Bachelder, “Al,” 83, of Farmington and formerly of Avon, died peacefully late Saturday afternoon, June 4, at the Hospice House in Auburn.

He was born Oct. 30, 1932, in New Sharon, the son of Seth and Bertha (Redlevske) Bachelder. He received his education at Wilton Academy and on Dec. 12, 1952, married his “dance partner,” Diana Frecker of Wilton at the Farmington Methodist Church parsonage.

He was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict and served in Japan. Upon his return, he went to diesel school in Portland and worked for Southworth Machine, a Caterpillar dealer. He later was employed by Basil Rowe in Avon as a garage mechanic, specializing in tractors. For many years, he worked with his father-in-law, Arthur Frecker, in the woods for M&F Logging (Melcher and Frecker) in Bingham. The beautiful stand of pine at the current site of the Comfort Inn and Franklin Memorial Hospital were planted by Alfred and his father-in-law on what was the Frecker Farm.

Alfred was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a true steward of the woods; he loved the land and enjoyed making it better every day. He was also an avid Red Sox fan.

He is loved by his wife of 63 years, Diana, of Farmington; their children, Bruce Bachelder and his wife, Karen, of Damariscotta, Sherry Ridley and her husband, Ronald, of North Jay, Trent Bachelder and his wife, Annette, of Avon and Wendy Crowell and her husband, Donald, of Turner; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Laverne Fletcher, and her husband, Earl, of New Vineyard.

His family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers of the Hospice House in Auburn for their care and support.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.