CHESTER - Weston Stimson Root, 81, of Derry Road, died Oct. 16, 1998, on his farm.

He was born In Springfield, Mass., on Jan. 26, 1917, a son of Herbert C. and Luella (Pease) Root. He was raised in Springfield, Mass., graduated from Classical High School, and earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Springfield College.

A veteran of World War II stationed in Germany, he served in the Army of Occupation.

He spent his teaching and coaching career of 37 years in New Hampshire at Hampton Academy, Littleton High School, and Pinkerton Academy. During the summer months he coached the Junior American Legion Baseball Program and worked for the State Forestry Department. After his retirement as the athletic director of Pinkerton Academy, he pursued his dream of working his farm, where he raised beef cattle, drove a school bus and was active in a number of area bands, playing the saxophone and clarinet.

He was a member of the Central Congregational Church of Derry Village and served as a deacon and trustee.

He served on the Chester School Board, was an Honorary Alumnus of Pinkerton Academy and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at its inception. The Pinkerton Academy baseball and soccer fields are named in his honor. He was also instrumental in the formation of the charter of the N.H. Interscholastic Athletic Association and served as president of the Derry Village Improvement Society.

Family members include his wife of 44 years, Ruthlee Newell of Chester; six daughters, Dixanne Ricamo of Rehoboth, Mass., Peggy .Ann Raybeck of Fairbanks, Alaska, Louise Heath of Milford, Heidi Aichele of Kittery, Maine, Wendy Sue Furlong of Dalton, Mass., and Daphne Thurgood of Brookfield, Conn.; a son, Brent Woodward of Westerly, R.I.; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Frederick Root of Connecticut; and a sister, Pauline Lanzer of Ohio. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy M. (Birchard) Root.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Central Congregational Church, Crescent Street, Derry Village.

A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pinkerton Academy's Music or Athletic Departments, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry, NH 03038.