Herbert Childs
DOVER- Capt. Herbert C. Childs, 98, died on August 5, at Langdon Place in Keene, NH, with family at his side.
Mr. Childs was born in Battle Creek, MI, on February 25, 1920. 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.
Following World War II, Mr. Childs graduated from Wayne State University’s engineering school and took a job with Olin Industries in New Haven, CT, where he met his wife, Isabel Riley Childs. They married on October 14, 1950.
After the birth of their third child, he was sent to Harvard Business School by Olin Industries. He 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 Mr. Child’s career advancement, Isabel became quite adept at relocating, renting, buying and selling homes in 22 different locations. By the 1970s, they were settled in their beloved home in Dover, where Mr. Childs enjoyed semi-retirement. But as Isabel was heard to say, “Herb’s real hobby is going to work.”
In 1980 he was appointed by then Republican Gov. Richard Snelling as the director of general services for the state of Vermont. He served in Montpelier in that capacity for five years. Back in Dover, he started a financial consulting business which expanded into a utility auditing, field, and property management company which he ran with his son, Andrew Childs.
After the death of his beloved wife, Isabel, Mr. Childs remarried at age 91 to Barbara Shepherd, who died in 2014.
Mr. Childs 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 Dover Historical Society.
Mr. Childs was preceeded in death by his first wife, Isabel Childs, his son Herbert Childs Jr, and his second wife, Barbara Shepherd Childs. He 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, Daniel Oliver Childs and John Andrew Gagnon. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their families, whom he loved very much.
Mr. Childs 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.
The family would like to give a special thank you to his dear friend Judy Jones and her daughter Mary Beth McGovern, and to the staff at the Langdon Place of Keene, Compassus Hospice, and all those who cared for him in his later years.
A Service of Resurrection for Mr. Childs at the West Dover Congregational Church will be held on August 18 at 11 am with a reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to make a donation to the American Legion Post 15 or the West Dover Congregational Church, c/o Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.