Bennington, VT: Charles F. Rich, Jr., 81, passed away at the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington on January 20, 2022 after a period of declining health.  He was born on October 14, 1940 in Newport, NH to the late Charles Rich, Sr. and Hazel (Thurber) Rich. 

Charles graduated from Towle High School with the class of 1959.  He served in the United States Navy for 4 years stationed aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise.  After military service, he returned to Newport and spent many years working as a firearms inspector at Sturm-Ruger before retiring in 2006.

Charles loved the outdoors.  He liked to go hunting and fishing and enjoyed collecting all sorts of things.  He will be missed by his friends and family.

Charles was predeceased by his parents, wife, Marlene Rich in 2001, sister, Patricia Ek, and brother, Ray Bliss Rich II.

Surviving family members include his daughters, Nadine Cutler of North Walpole, NH, and Catherine Bressette of Newport, stepson, John of California, sister, Cheryl Smet and her partner, Myron Jones of Rutland, VT, ex-wife, Phyllis MacWilliams, and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 29, 2022 at 1PM at Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Newport, NH.  A graveside service will be held on Saturday April 30, 2022 at 1:00 PM in North Newport Cemetery.