Ernest C. Ladd Obituary

Ernest C. Ladd

Ernest C. "Zeke" Ladd, 75, of Water Street died May 19, 2000 at Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia.

Born Nov. 25, 1924 in Meredith, he was the son of Clarence E. and Olivia L. (Batten) Ladd. He grew up in Meredith and resided in Pennsylvania and Virginia for many years. He moved back to Meredith nine years ago.

Mr. Ladd graduated from Meredith High School in 1942. He had the distinction of being the school's first all-state basketball player.

Following high school, Mr. Ladd proudly served his country for two and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

After returning home from World War II, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire at Durham in 1950 and went on to receive his masters in marine biology in 1958 from the College of William and Mary.

Mr. Ladd's professional career began with the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he worked three years in fisheries management with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at Gloucester Point, Va. Following his time with VIMS, he joined FMC Corp., formerly American Viscose, where he worked nearly 35 years and was widely respected by his friends, co-workers, and peers in the chemical industry and government.

Mr. Ladd worked at the American Viscose/FMC plant in Front Royal from 1959-1968. He was an active youth coach and influential in the formation of the Front Royal Youth Center.

Mr. Ladd retired from FMC in 1986 and always cherished the national and international experiences he enjoyed during his tenure there, as well as the great joy he received from the good friends made in those busy and challenging years.

The family includes his wife of 54 years, Alice L. (Mooney) Ladd of Meredith; two sons, Robert E. Ladd of Wintergreen, Va. and Gary F. Ladd of Richmond, Va.; Linda D. Cathcart of Gettysburg, Penn.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Claire "Dolly" Haddock of Portsmouth; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A graveside service was held Tuesday in the Meredith Village Cemetery with Rev. Stephen Neil, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Meredith, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meredith Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 176, Meredith, N.H. 03253.

Submitted by: Misty LADD Flannigan Feb 9, 2003