Seward R. Dinsmore
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.