Richard Sederstrom "Dick"

Richard (Dick) J. Sederstrom, 85, a resident of Agawam, Massachusetts and York, Maine, and formerly of Concord, Massachusetts, died on October 18, 2019. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by family after a long period of declining health. His dry wit and wisdom will be greatly missed.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Dick was raised and educated in Winchester, NH, where he graduated from Thayer High School. He attended the University of New Hampshire before enrolling in Keene Teachers College, graduating with a Bachelor of Education degree. Awarded a fellowship, he studied at Brown University, graduating with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. He also attended Harvard University and received a Certificate of Advanced Studies.
Dick proudly served the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District for 43 years before retiring in 2005. He taught math and science at Concord-Carlisle Regional High School for 16 years. He represented the science department as chairman for two terms, and held elective office in the Concord Teachers’ Association while also continuing to teach chemistry and advanced chemistry. Dick then demonstrated his dedication to the community for 27 more years as Director of Personnel for the school system. Dick’s public service extended beyond the Concord public schools. He was elected president of the American Association for Employment in Education and served a three-year term. He received the Priscilla A. Scotian Award for distinguished service in the field of recruiting and training teachers. He also enjoyed coaching youth sports, including baseball, basketball, and hockey. He relaxed by playing tennis and cards, reading, spending time with family and friends, and rooting for the New England Patriots. 
Dick is survived by his beloved children, Karen Garrett and her husband Chuck of Marblehead, MA, Scott Sederstrom and his wife Beth of Valparaiso, IN, and Jon Sederstrom and his wife Dorrit of Erie, CO; as well as his grandchildren whom he adored, Jack Garrett, Tom Garrett, Rikesh Sederstrom, Joey Sederstrom, Mia Sederstrom, and Mateo Sederstrom. He is also survived by his best friend and partner Barbara Kautz of Agawam, MA and her children, Sarah Hoben of Jupiter, FL and her husband Reece, and Michael Tuckey of Springfield, MA, and their children, Skyler and Reecie Hoben, and Michael and Jack Tuckey. In addition, he leaves nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann M. (Murray) Sederstrom, his son, Mark T. Sederstrom, his parents, Helen M. (Casper) and Elmer W. Sederstrom, his brother Roy P. Sederstrom, and his sister Eldoris S. O’Connor.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, October 25, 2019 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Colonial Forastiere Funeral & Cremation on 985 Main Street in Agawam. The funeral service will be Saturday, October 26, 2019, beginning 9:30am at the funeral home, followed by a 11:00am Liturgy of Christian Burial in Holy Name Church in Springfield. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at a later date. . For more information or to leave an online message for the family, please visit www.forastiere.com. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made In Richard Sederstrom’s name to The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle, 34 Walden St. Unit 217, Concord, MA, 01742-2542 or or on line at http://thescholarshipfundofcc.org/ toward the establishment of an endowed scholarship in Dick’s name to be awarded to a graduating senior pursuing studies in science.