Roger Hersey, an Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT) land donor, died on May 12, 2013 at age 64, after a four-year battle with multiple myeloma, a form of bone cancer.

Roger grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, and spent the last 30 years of his life in Middlefield, Connecticut, where he and his wife Nancy, raised their five children. After working for the state of Connecticut as facilities manager in the judicial department for 19 years, Roger retired, and along with his wife, founded Auto Body Specialties, Inc., thus following his childhood passion for classic cars and trucks.

Roger was a caring and supportive husband, who valued his time with his family, and he thoroughly enjoyed playing with his grandchildren.

The Hersey Farm in East Andover was one of Roger’s special places, and his eyes would light up at the mention of New Hampshire and the farm. Roger was proud of his heritage and was a faithful attendant at the Hersey Reunion. He was its treasurer for 40 years, and in 1997 Roger hosted the 100th reunion at the Hersey Farm.

Roger’s grandparents, Nannie and Guy Hersey, purchased the farm in 1904. They eventually turned the farm over to their son, Samuel, and he in turn to his son, Roger. With this much family history at stake, Roger was dedicated to preserving the farm and its legacy.

Roger and his cousin Jerry, who owns the neighboring farm, worked together with the Andover Historical Society to list the Hersey Family Farms on the National Register of Historic Places, an honor which was achieved in 2008. Jerry, a long-time member of the Andover Conservation Commission, placed his 268 acres of fields and forest land into a conservation easement with the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust in 2007.

With Jerry’s encouragement and help, Roger began the process for a similar easement on his 55-acre farm. In November of 2010, this goal was achieved, thus ensuring that the picturesque open fields and scenic views of Roger’s farm would be protected forever.

The legacy of the Hersey Farm continues today, as Roger’s daughter, Lori Hersey, is now the fourth-generation owner of the farm. She and her husband Tom and their sons Owen and Aaron are just as committed to preserving the farm and its history as those in the family who have come before them.

Rita, a former teacher, grew up in East Andover and lived in Massachusetts for 49 years with her husband Bob. In 2012, Rita and Bob retired and moved into Rita’s childhood home, which has remained in the LaPlante family since 1929. Rita especially enjoys local history and family genealogy.