Richard Batesole, 50-year Ridgefielder

Richard Eugene Batesole of Ridgefield, a World War II veteran, electrical engineer, and home renovator, died at home on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. He was 80 years old and the husband of Vey Pallesen Batesole, his wife of 53 years.

Mr. Batesole was born in Elmhurst, N.Y., on June 11, 1924, and grew up and attended schools in Darien.

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps. His assignments included work on radar development on the West Coast and a stint as a meteorologist in Maine. His name appears on the Service Roster in the Ridgefield Town Hall.

After the war, he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan. He then went to work for the Mosler Safe Company in Danbury, where he traveled extensively and became the head of the engineering department.

After early retirement, he formed the Old World Craftsmen with Ridgefielders Weichel Drummond and the late David Huntoon, a group that performed home renovations throughout the area and that specialized in older houses.

As a volunteer, he taught woodworking skills to four-year-olds at the Ridgefield Community Kindergarten, St. Stephen's Nursery School and in the Head Start Program in Danbury.

Throughout his life, Mr. Batesole enjoyed woodcarving and was an avid sports fan, loyal to the Detroit Tigers and his Michigan Wolverines. He had been a two-sports star at Darien High School, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball, and continued to play basketball at the University of Michigan.

Besides his wife, Mr. Batesole is survived by his son, Robert Batesole of Southbury; his daughter, Elizabeth Hainey of Plano, Texas; his brother, William of Brownsville, Vt.; three grandsons, three nieces and a nephew.

Services are private.

Donations may be made to the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, Home-Health Programs, 405 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810.