Obituary for Otho Sylvester Wells
Otho Sylvester Wells
September 15, 1938 – November 21, 2023
Otho Sylvester Wells, 85, of Durham, NH, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital after a sudden and brief illness.
Otho was born on September 15, 1938 in Burgaw, NC, the fifth child out of seven to Pender and Cora Lee (Blanton) Wells. He grew up on a strawberry farm, which peaked his life-long interest in horticulture. He graduated from Burgaw High School in 1956, and after a gap year in which he worked on the family farm, he attended North Carolina State where he graduated in 1961 with a BS in horticulture. In 1963 he graduated from Michigan State with a Master’s degree in horticulture, and in 1966 he earned his PhD from Rutgers. Otho joined the faculty of the University of New Hampshire in 1966 as a professor of plant biology working in Cooperative Extension until his retirement in 1999. He received many awards over the years for his work and research in row covers that extended the growing season for NH farmers. He was a panelist on The Garden Show on the local PBS TV station and also enjoyed judging vegetables at numerous state fairs.
He married Sandra O’Connell on July 20, 1968. The two settled in Durham, NH and had two daughters. Otho was a devoted follower of Christ and an active member of Dover Baptist Church since 1966 where he served as Deacon and Elder, taught high school and adult Sunday School, led the high school youth group, participated in the senior citizen group, and served in many other ways. He also served as UNH faculty advisor for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for several years. In his retirement, he worked for many years with Chapin Living Waters, a non-profit organization providing simple drip irrigation systems for remote areas of drought stricken countries. In addition, he served on the Durham Conservation Commission for several years. In his free time, Otho could be found working in his yard and garden; he had the greenest, most manicured lawn in town! He was outgoing, witty, and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Otho joined Sandra in opening their home for meals and overnight stays to countless guests over the years.
Otho was an avid gardener, reader, and traveler (he especially enjoyed road trips with his family), and he loved spending time with his two grandchildren, which included many trips to Dunkin Donuts!
Otho will always be remembered for his Christian legacy, integrity, humility, positivity, and devotion to his family. He is pre-deceased by his wife, Sandra Wells; brothers, Samuel Wells and Daniel Wells; and sisters, Estalene Wells and Addie Liss. He is survived by his daughter Kendra Burke and her husband Aaron and their children Lily and Koa of Hamilton, MA; daughter Vonda Cornell and her husband David of Manchester, NH; sister Virginia Rivenbark of Wilmington, NC; and brother Nathaniel Wells of Girard, IL.
His family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors who were always willing and able to help as Otho’s health was declining from Parkinson’s disease.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Dover Baptist Church, 151 Washington St, Dover, NH on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 am followed by a reception and visiting time.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that any donations in his name be made to Dover Baptist Church http://www.doverbaptistchurch.org/give, or to Chapin Living Waters https://www.chapinlivingwaters.org/, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research https://www.michaeljfox.org/.
September 15, 1938 – November 21, 2023
Otho Sylvester Wells, 85, of Durham, NH, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital after a sudden and brief illness.
Otho was born on September 15, 1938 in Burgaw, NC, the fifth child out of seven to Pender and Cora Lee (Blanton) Wells. He grew up on a strawberry farm, which peaked his life-long interest in horticulture. He graduated from Burgaw High School in 1956, and after a gap year in which he worked on the family farm, he attended North Carolina State where he graduated in 1961 with a BS in horticulture. In 1963 he graduated from Michigan State with a Master’s degree in horticulture, and in 1966 he earned his PhD from Rutgers. Otho joined the faculty of the University of New Hampshire in 1966 as a professor of plant biology working in Cooperative Extension until his retirement in 1999. He received many awards over the years for his work and research in row covers that extended the growing season for NH farmers. He was a panelist on The Garden Show on the local PBS TV station and also enjoyed judging vegetables at numerous state fairs.
He married Sandra O’Connell on July 20, 1968. The two settled in Durham, NH and had two daughters. Otho was a devoted follower of Christ and an active member of Dover Baptist Church since 1966 where he served as Deacon and Elder, taught high school and adult Sunday School, led the high school youth group, participated in the senior citizen group, and served in many other ways. He also served as UNH faculty advisor for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for several years. In his retirement, he worked for many years with Chapin Living Waters, a non-profit organization providing simple drip irrigation systems for remote areas of drought stricken countries. In addition, he served on the Durham Conservation Commission for several years. In his free time, Otho could be found working in his yard and garden; he had the greenest, most manicured lawn in town! He was outgoing, witty, and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Otho joined Sandra in opening their home for meals and overnight stays to countless guests over the years.
Otho was an avid gardener, reader, and traveler (he especially enjoyed road trips with his family), and he loved spending time with his two grandchildren, which included many trips to Dunkin Donuts!
Otho will always be remembered for his Christian legacy, integrity, humility, positivity, and devotion to his family. He is pre-deceased by his wife, Sandra Wells; brothers, Samuel Wells and Daniel Wells; and sisters, Estalene Wells and Addie Liss. He is survived by his daughter Kendra Burke and her husband Aaron and their children Lily and Koa of Hamilton, MA; daughter Vonda Cornell and her husband David of Manchester, NH; sister Virginia Rivenbark of Wilmington, NC; and brother Nathaniel Wells of Girard, IL.
His family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors who were always willing and able to help as Otho’s health was declining from Parkinson’s disease.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Dover Baptist Church, 151 Washington St, Dover, NH on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 am followed by a reception and visiting time.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that any donations in his name be made to Dover Baptist Church http://www.doverbaptistchurch.org/give, or to Chapin Living Waters https://www.chapinlivingwaters.org/, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research https://www.michaeljfox.org/.