Richard E. Koester

It is with incredible sadness that we announce the passing of Richard E. Koester, 67, of Milford, NH. Richard passed peacefully on June 24th at his home surrounded by his 3 children after a 10-month long battle with cancer.

He was born in the U.S. Army Hospital in Osaka, Japan on April 27, 1957.

Son of the late Phyllis (Rhoda) Koester and Richard A. Koester.

He grew up in Westford and was a graduate of Westford Academy.

Richard started working at a young age on a milk farm as well as at a machine shop in Billerica MA. After that he worked for Sterilite in Townsend MA before he started his own business, Spectrum Landscaping & Excavating. He worked and owned his own business for the last 40+ years doing a variety of construction work including Altid Enterprises doing property maintenance. He was a skilled man of many trades and talents. Everyone knew him as a hard worker, he never stopped.

Rich was protective and loyal to his family, visiting his grandkids regularly and made it a point to host all the holidays at his home.

His passion was building his houses including his home in Colebrook NH that he routinely visited over the years. He enjoyed snowmobiling, four wheeling, boating on the lake and “tinkering” around the garage doing endless projects.

He was the loving father of Shawn Koester of Hollis NH, Jennifer Koester of Tyngsboro MA and Krystal Koester of Dunstable MA; brother of Gregory A Koester of Milford NH, Brian S Koester of Dublin NH, and the late Ronald J Koester. He was the proud grandfather of Makayla, Lucas, Briella, Wesley & Devon. He was also an uncle, cousin and a GREAT friend to SO many. Everyone he met loved him. He lit up the room everywhere he went and will be deeply missed.

Calling hours are on Sunday, June 30th from 2:00-4:00pm in Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 1st at 10:00am in the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Westford, MA. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Richard Koester to support cancer research and patient care at:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift. or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1640, Hagerstown, MD. 21741 or online at cancer.org.