The Richard J. Sederstrom
Memorial Scholarship

Richard J. Sederstrom demonstrated his devotion to education through his many contributions to the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District – as a high-school teacher, science department chair, and personnel director – before his retirement in 2005.

 Dick, as he was called, was first in his family to attend college. Paying with his own earnings, he attended Keene Teachers College (now Keene State College) before beginning his teaching career in Bristol, New Hampshire.

 Within a short time, Dick earned a meritorious scholarship for his work in Bristol and completed his Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Brown University. He did not stop there. He was also awarded a Certificate of Advanced Studies from Harvard University and spent several summers between academic school years writing and editing science textbooks for a well known publisher.

Dick moved to Concord in 1961 and honorably served the Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District for 43 years until retiring in 2005. He taught math and science courses at Concord-Carlisle High School for 16 years. He represented the science department as chairman for two terms and held elective office in the Concord Teachers' Association. Dick then demonstrated his dedication to the community for 27 more years as Director of Personnel for the school system.

While the Concord and Carlisle education communities held a special place in his heart, Dick's public service extended beyond their public schools. He was elected president of the American Association for Employment in Education and served a three-year term. He received the Priscilla A. Scotian Award for distinguished service in the field of recruiting and training teachers. He supported his wife, Ann Sederstrom, in managing the Lincoln Country Day School, a private preschool where she served as teacher and owner/director, for over 30 years, until her death in 2006. He also enjoyed coaching youth sports, including baseball, basketball, and hockey, and being the father of Karen, Scott, Mark, and Jon, Concord-Carlisle High School alumni. 

Dick represented commitment, always giving his best as he expected of himself. In his many roles, Dick worked to promote fair opportunities and conditions for all students and staff members. When nearing the end of his life, Dick requested that any donations in his memory be contributed to The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle. A deeply humble man, he was moved when told his family would strive to do even better, by creating a named scholarship in his memory. Dick’s surviving children, Karen, Scott, and Jon, along with his partner Barbara Kautz, appreciate everyone whose generosity has helped to fulfill this promise.

Dick’s passion for advancing the study of the sciences will be perpetuated through the creation of this endowed scholarship and honored through its ensuing award to graduating seniors pursuing studies in the fields of science.