KEENE, NH —
Captain Herbert C Childs, born in Battle Creek, Michigan on February 25, 1920, died on August 5, 2018 at the age of 98 at Langdon Place, Keene, New Hampshire with family at his side.
Military Service
He was a World War II Naval Aviator who saw action in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters as a fighter pilot with anti-submarine and fighter squadrons. He continued his career as an active squadron commander and retired from the Navy as a Captain.
Post Military
After World War II, he graduated from Wayne State University’s engineering school. Captain Childs took a job with Olin Industries in New Haven, Connecticut where he met his wife, Isabel Riley Childs. They married on October 14, 1950. After the birth of their third child, Herb was sent to Harvard Business School by Olin Industries. Herbert went on to have a highly successful career in the chemical business with Olin as a research engineer, then at Kordite as a vice president of operations, then at Tenneco as vice president and director. In addition to those companies, he worked as vice president of operations at Off-Track Betting in New York City.
Alongside Herb’s career advancement, Isabel became quite adept at relocating, renting, buying and selling homes in 22 different locations. By the 1970’s, they were settled in their beloved home in West Dover, Vermont, where Herb enjoyed semi-retirement. But as Isabel was heard to say, “Herb’s real hobby is going to work.”
State of Vermont
By 1980, he was appointed by then Republican Governor Snelling as the director of general services for the State of Vermont. He served in Montpelier in that capacity for five years. Back in West Dover, he started a financial consulting business which expanded into a utility auditing, field and property management company. He oversaw that with his son, Andrew Childs.
After the death of his beloved wife, Isabel, Herbert C Childs remarried at age 91 to Barbara Shepherd who passed away in 2014. Herb was a dedicated supporter of the West Dover Congregational Church and a leader in many fund-raising activities and major renovations. He was also active in the West Dover Historical Society. Herb is predeceased by his first wife, Isabel Childs, his son Herbert Childs Jr, and his second wife, Barbara Shepherd Childs.
Survivors
Herbert C Childs is survived by his adult children Nancy Childs, Karen Childs LaVelle and her husband Michael, Rebecca Childs Miller, Andrew Childs and his wife Mindy, Sarah Childs Gagnon and her husband John; and his grandchildren Rachel Miller Reynolds, Francis Herbert LaVelle, Pamela Childs LaVelle, Riley Oliver Childs, Danial Oliver Childs and John Andrew Gagnon. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their families whom he loved very much. Herb had a great love of animals. He and his wife Isabel shared many happy years with their three beautiful Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) : Robbie, Jamie and Toby.
Family Thank You
The family gives a special thank-you to his dear friend Judy Jones and her daughter Mary Beth, in addition to the staff at the Langdon Place of Keene, Compassus Hospice, and all those who cared for him in his later years.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Legion Post 15 and/or the West Dover Congregational Church c/o Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363.
Funeral Information
Service of Resurrection for Herbert C. Childs at the West Dover Congregational Church will be held on August 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Church.
