On September 2, 2015 Richard 'Dick' Sheldon Lindstrom of Reading, MA passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Richard was born on September 18, 1931 to Esther and C. Arthur Lindstrom of Everett, MA. He grew up in Melrose, MA and spent summers on Lake Winnipesaukee. Dick graduated from Melrose High School in Melrose, MA and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA. At M.I.T Dick was part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) program, studied chemical engineering and rowed for the M.I.T. crew team. After graduation in 1953 Dick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and worked at Lord Manufacturing in Erie, PA while waiting for orders. He was eventually sent to Foster Air Force Base in Victoria, Texas where he developed his lifelong passion for flying. Upon discharge he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.

In 1956 Dick moved back to Melrose, MA He joined a young adult group at the Melrose First Baptist Church where he met his future wife, Carolyn Powers. Richard and Carolyn's paths had crossed most of their lives, living several blocks away from each other in Melrose. Carolyn's mother, Anna Powers, played the organ at the church and Richard's father, Arthur Lindstrom, was a soloist in the choir.

Dick and Carolyn were together from that point on. They were married on October 10, 1959 in the First Baptist Church in Melrose where they met. In 1960 they bought a house and started a family in Reading, MA where they lived for 54 years. Dick landed a position as a consultant in plastics engineering at Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, MA where he had a successful career spanning more than thirty years.

Dick lived life to the fullest and left those around him with years of cherished memories. Family trips were often taken in the 4-seater Cessna Skylane plane, N3369U. Dick flew the family south regularly to visit various Lindquists and Lindegrens in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. On the biggest trip the family flew west spending a month crossing the U.S. to visit numerous National Parks including Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Yosemite, Mount Rainier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier. Dick and Carolyn loved to travel and turned globe trotting into a full time job in retirement. They travelled the world including trips to Alaska and Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Israel, all over Europe, and sailing in the Caribbean.

Richard shared the things he loved with others. He and Carolyn hosted countless family gatherings at their home in Reading. Most special were Christmas Eve events where Dick recreated the Swedish multi-course tradition of his mother and grandmother.

The more the merrier was the theme at the beloved camp on Lake Winnipesaukee and at the family ski condo in Deer Valley. He loved to be at the helm of the boat pulling water skiers and tubers or sailing the sailfish. Everyone was welcome with a constant stream of extended family and friends making for crowded meals and nights filled with love and laughter.

Dick had a strong love of the outdoors. He led a Boy Scout Explorer troop in Reading for many years and was an active board member for the New England Frontier Camp in Lovell, Maine. He often led family and friends on camping adventures and hikes up Mt. Piper, Mt. Major and Mt. Washington. In later years he volunteered at the top of Mount Washington in the Observatory. He loved to garden and each year grew fruits and vegetables in abundance in a garden beside the house and in a plot in North Reading, MA.

Dick and Carolyn have been longtime members of Grace Chapel in Lexington,MA where Dick served faithfully for 40 years as a leader in Christian Service Brigade for boys, parking duty, and even getting coffee every Sunday for the church choir, which included Carolyn.

In recent years perhaps his greatest pride and joy came from spending time with his granddaughter Emeline. They swam, skied, gardened, read, cooked, sang and laughed. He loved to attend her meets, games, and performances even if it meant taking a ferry over from Portland Maine to Long Island. Anything for his granddaughter.

Richard leaves his loving wife Carolyn Lindstrom of Reading, MA, son Eric Lindstrom of Portland, ME, daughter Janice Avignon and her husband Pierre Avignon and their daughter Emeline Avignon of Long Island, Maine and West Newbury,MA; brother Carl Lindstrom of Melrose, MA and his son Elliot Gregory Lindstrom, of Melrose, MA.

Relatives and friends are invited to share in a celebration of Richard's life on Wed. Sept. 9 at 10am at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Richard's name to New England Frontier Camp, Lovell Maine or the charity of your choice.