Seward R. Dinsmore
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| November 15, 1924 ~
January 1, 2012 |
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January 2, 2011 |
 Seward
R. "Denney" Dinsmore, 87, husband of 65 years to
Gertrude "Trudy" Robishaw Dinsmore, died January
1, 2012, at Valley Vista Nursing Home in
Sandpoint. from complications of Parkinson’s
disease.
He was born in Rockland, Maine, on November 15,
1924, the youngest son of Arthur and Mildred
Benner Dinsmore. He outlived his three older
brothers Bernard, Clayton and Harland. He was
predeceased by two grandchildren, Robert Winner
and Sgt. Joshua Kirk, and a son-in-law John
Kirk.
On May 11, 1943, Seward entered the service
during World War II. His basic training was with
the 793 Triple-A Gun Battalion at Ft. Stewart,
Georgia. He later was assigned as a radio
operator with the 66th Brigade HDQ at Ft.
Stewart, and in early 1944 with the 43rd Brigade
HDQ at Mitchell Field in Long Island, New York.
Next, he was re-assigned to the 71st Joint
Assault Signal Battalion. These JASCO units were
innovative for their time. This unit was formed
using soldiers coming back from the war in
Europe and those stateside, who were then
transferred to the war in the Pacific. Beginning
in February 1945, he spent 16 days on a
transport boat called the Frederick Lykes. On
March 10, 1945, he was involved in the Asiatic
Pacific Theater campaign in the south
Philippines in Leyete. His unit’s mission was to
establish radio communications between the ships
at sea and units on shore. Seward was still
serving with the 71st JASCO when the war ended
in September 1945.
After spending 10 ½ months overseas, he returned
to the United States where he was discharged on
February 15, 1946, as a Tech 5.
Seward returned to Rockland to finish his high
school education. He graduated in 1947 from
Rockland High School. Soon after, he married the
love of his life Gertrude "Trudy" Robishaw on
November 26, 1947.
Seward joined the National Guard in 1950. He
served on the home-front during the Korean War
with the 703rd Triple-A Gun Battalion, Company D
at Ft. Hancock, New York. At the time of his
discharge in late 1953, he was a Second
Lieutenant.
Seward held various jobs over the years working
as a plumber and as an electrical salesclerk for
H. H. Crie Hardware in Rockland, Maine, and
later for the US Postal Service. After 13 years
in Rockland, Seward bought property in
Thomaston, Maine, and, in 1964, built a home
where he and his wife raised eight children.
They lived in Thomaston until the late 1970s.
After short stays in Gorham and Scarborough,
Maine, as well as Lenox, Massachusetts, Seward
and his wife moved to Moyie Springs in 1984 and
to Bonners Ferry 1985. He worked at Boundary
Community Hospital in plant maintenance until
mid-1994. During his employment there, he
received two Employee of the Year awards.
Seward was industrious, curious and a life-long
learner. He never let the circumstances of
growing up in Maine during the depression affect
his ability to have a positive and moral outlook
on the future. He loved being near the ocean and
for several years was an avid sailor. Also for
years, he was a ham radio hobbyist; his call
sign was KA1IDU.
Seward enjoyed gardening in his younger years
and, in his later years, became a willing helper
to his wife’s never-ending landscaping projects.
Gifted in the electrical and plumbing trade, he
had the mind of a mechanical engineer. He built
his second home in 1984 when he was 60. Up until
1985, Seward remodeled and continued building
numerous additions to his and Trudy's last home
in Bonners Ferry. Over the years, he also
assisted in the construction of the homes of his
children; his counsel was sought after time and
time again for all kind of reasons.
Seward had a quiet side, but he could also talk
your ear off on all kinds of subjects. He was
generous with his time and very intelligent. An
avid reader, he was a student of philosophy and
religion for most of his life.
Seward made numerous donations of his time to
church and friends. Having a keen sense of
humor, he was always cracking jokes. He loved to
debate politics and religion and had many
discussions of such with family members.
Seward was innovative and wasn’t afraid to try
new things and was always thinking outside the
box. A hard worker all his life, he was loyal to
his wife and family. Seward loved God to the end
and wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts on this
matter with anyone who would listen.
The best words to capture who he really was are
that he always held an optimistic view on life
and people.
He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
Surviving members of his family include his
wife, Gertrude from Bonners Ferry; his five
sons: Seward Jr. from Nine Mile Falls,
Washington, Jerry from Kittery, Maine, Paul from
Manzanola, Colorado, Joseph from Winnett,
Montana, and Anthony from Bonners Ferry;
daughters: Bernadette Kirk Bonner from Moyie
Springs, Christine Arsenault from Winthrop,
Maine, and Barbara Lepoidevin of Bonners Ferry;
21 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Private funeral services and interment will be
held on January 7.
Family and friends are invited to sign Seward’s
online guest book at
www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Bonners Ferry
Funeral Home.
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