John Eugene Felch IV
John Eugene Felch IV (Gene) 78, passed away peacefully on his journey to the Lord, on January 17, 2017 at his home in Valencia, California. He was born in Brattleboro, Vermont on January 21, 1938 to John Eugene Felch III and Ethel (Sweeney) Felch. Gene attended St. Joseph's Catholic School, Keene High School and graduated from Kimball Union Academy. He received a double major in philosophy and physics from Villanova University. He also did additional studies at the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College. He then worked for Chemical Bank in Philadelphia and New York City before returning to Keene, NH, where he worked at Cheshire National Bank serving as President. Gene served various positions with the New Hampshire Banker's Association and the American Banker's Association. His long time interest in computers and technology led to a federal research grant led by John Kemeny's team at Dartmouth College developing BASIC programming language. Later in his career, he pursued his passion for computer science by writing software, consulting, and teaching at Keene State College.Gene was known for his quick wit, a passion for helping others, a love of music, photography, and New England's summer theaters. Gene was an avid reader. He had a love for knowledge and was curious by nature. Highlights in his life were flying small airplanes, his time at Silver Lake, traveling, and spending time with his dear friends and family.He is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Anna Wystup Felch; his 2 children, Jonathan Robert Felch and Nancy Felch Melhorn; their spouses, Maria Felch and Jon Melhorn; his three granddaughters, Sage Felch, Lilian Melhorn, Mimi Melhorn; his sister Martha Felch Farmer; and his 9 nieces and nephews. Thomas Spahr, Christopher Spahr, Rick Searle, Sarah Daume, Jodi Albertini, Louis Wystup, Tommy Wystup, Joey Wystup and Krzysztof Wystup.A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 11:00AM in the Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH. Family and friends are invited to call on the family from 3 to 5pm on Monday, January 30, 2017 at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities, 91 Maple Ave, Keene, NH. 03431
