Anne Richwagen

On February 27, 2016 when the morning sun rose over Pico Mountain to nourish the joy of Anne’s daily awakening it found the flame of her life had quietly and peacefully flickered out. Anne Richwagen, 80, of Rutland Vt. And Goose Pond NH had fulfilled her goal of introducing the wonders of love and nature to all whom she came into contact- even after she learned about her evolving loss of memory.

Anne Trowbridge Richwagen was born October 2, 1935 in Plainfield Nj and was a happy child of Gordon and Ida May Trowbridge. She grew up in Watchung NJ and graduated from Trenton State Teachers’ College in order to teach grade school and inspire children to enjoy the magic of life and the excitement of living with nature. Through the Plainfield Ski and Sports Club, Anne discovered her true destiny, namely, to teach children about skiing, swimming, mountain climbing, kayaking, and water skiing and everything she knew regarding the joys of nature and outdoor sports.

It was only natural then, for her to move to Vermont where she hoped she could meet someone with similar interests get married and raise a ski family there. A year later, she met Bill at an après-ski party, where he was playing piano for his friends. She joined him on the piano bench while he played , and she sang. They continued to sing and play together for the next 51 years of their happy marriage.

Anne taught 3rd and 4th grades to but Bill through graduate school before they started a family. But she also worked to improve her skiing talents so that she could teach skiing to her two sons and other children as well. Before long, she has expanded her teaching skills form school-rooms to mountain-trails by becoming a children’s instructor at Ford Sayre Ski School in Hanover, and Whaleback in Lebanon NH. Anne’s success there led her to the slopes of Killington, Vt. where she became a nationally certified P.S.I.A. children’s instructor, and earning the distinction of being designated as a runner-up to the country’s 10-Best Ski instructors in Eastern US.

Anne’s love of life and of the outdoors also brought her into RV’ing where she found new adventures such as rafting, canoeing and kayaking. With Bill she “shot” the Mendenhall River in Alaska, the Rio Grande in Texas and the Colorado in Utah. She taught kids to canoe down the Saco River in Maine and others to kayak the lakes and ponds of NH; Yet, it was the simplicity of life that Anne loved the most. Relaxing with friend and family; helping to build a lake-side cabin; needle-pointing, and teaching children to always see the best in people were her greatest pleasures. She instilled these values into countless children over the years, which she admitted, was her true calling after all.

Survivors include her husband Boll and two sons; Justin Richwagen of Maryland and Peter Labrie and a brother Gordon Trowbridge. Her son James preceased her while serving the U.S.A.F. during Desert Storm in 1991. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews of the Trowbridge and Richwagen families living in the deep South and the far West. In addition, she leaves behind two dear cousins from Central Vermont- Barbara Anne Trowbridge and Thomas Trowbridge who, along with her rescued cat “Jessie”, always stayed close-by and forever faithful to her.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary of Grace Congregational Church of Christ in Rutland, Vt. Officiating will be the Rev. John Weatherhog. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to G.P. Lake Association (501-C), Michael Riese, Pres., 974 Goose Pond Rd., Canaan, NH 03741