Born on January 11, 1927, in Dover, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and attended Tufts School of Dental Medicine after Bowdoin. He worked as a dentist in his own practice for 26 years until 1981, and he was the dental director at the Laconia State School for 10 years. He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Dover, a former member of the Lion’s Club, a member of Moses Paul #96 F. & A.M., and former Dover School Board member. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley (Scharf) Topham in 1984. He is survived by five sons, David E. of Newbury, Paul F. of New Durham, Stephen J. of Pittsfield, Jonathan H. of Canterberry, and James H. of Barstead; two daughters, Julie Turcotte of Lebanon, Maine, and Lisa Bennett of Berwick, Maine; 16 grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren.