READING, VT - Richard H. Sallen, 69, known as Rick to family and friends, died at his home in Reading, Vermont on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. He had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer in January and had been under VNH Hospice care for several months.

Rick was born in Jackson, MI in November of 1951 the first child of Ira J. Sallen and Christina M. Sallen. Soon after Rick's birth, his parents relocated to Massachusetts where he grew up on a (then) semi-rural street in Framingham.

His family's home faced the grounds of a residential rest home dating from the mid-19th century which maintained its own gardens and orchards. The many happy childhood hours Rick spent there learning from the groundskeeper were to inform his life choices later on.

His parents' deep family values nurtured a self-reliant free thinker with an abiding concern for his fellow beings. From a young age, he was remarkably self-possessed and at ease communicating with both adults and peers.

He was also gifted with a wicked sense of humor and never missed an opportunity to engage in repartee. Even in his latter distress, he would have his care-givers laughing at his quips and comebacks!

Rick had a sharp mind and a gentle nature. He was less than impressed with the experience of public school in the 60s but graduated from Framingham North High School in 1969 and attended Boston University.

Throughout his early work experience, which included retail sales alongside his father in Boston while taking classes at BU, driving an ice-cream truck, framing houses on Cape Cod, taking tolls on the Mass Turnpike, he held to a vision of an agrarian lifestyle in keeping with his philosophy.

Rick and Cheryl met in 1972, married in 1975, and proceeded to buy a piece of land in Tinmouth, VT. In 1981 an inspiring stint on the horticultural staff at the New England Wildflower Society's Garden in the Woods in Framingham ended due to funding and it was time to scout out the possibilities up North. Rick and Cheryl began their Vermont adventure by sewing a twenty ft. diameter tipi and with their toddler daughter they lived in it that summer in Tinmouth.

There followed a series of live-on care-taking and farm management positions in Massachusetts and around Woodstock and Reading which afforded tremendous scope and fulfillment. Confident in his skills and native ingenuity, Rick stepped up to just the challenges he had been looking for.

New neighbors became mentors and fast friends as he worked alongside groundskeepers, carpenters, farmers, shepherds, farriers, sugar makers, loggers, and heavy equipment operators.

At one point, under the tutelage of a veteran teamster, Rick mastered the skills to train a team of Belgian draft horses (almost as green as he was) for pleasure driving. Just part of the job.                     The effort culminated in an appearance in the Woodstock Wassail Parade.                                                  All in all, the unconventional lifestyle made for a uniquely enriching family experience.

By 1992, Rick was ready to move on. The hard work and demanding schedule had taken its toll.  Family being his first priority, he eventually took a position with the State of Vermont that allowed him the flexibility to work from home and schedule his hours around his daughter's school activities and the choicest beach weather on Cape Breton.

He retired in 2015 due to failing health.

For Rick, parenting was a sacred trust. To Teal, and all of her friends who knew him, Rick was one of those "Cool Dads" who chaperoned field trips and built theater sets. He was also always ready to aid and abet harmless mischief. He was the one who taught you how to stand up to bullies, taught your best friend how to spit, and who always wanted to hear what you had to say.

It was Rick's delight to include Teal in his many and varied interests. They shared a love of music and   a penchant for intrepid baking. There was an appreciation of antiques and fine woodworking, gardening, cooking, brewing, pickling, photography, and all things nautical.

There was always a dog.

Above all, Rick cherished time with family and friends at his parents' cottage on the shore of            Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He had been looking forward to taking his retirement there.

Rick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl, daughter, Teal and spouse, Marc DiMarzio of Bethel, grandchildren Talia and Corbin DiMarzio, brother, Jay D. Sallen, sister-in-law, Donna LeBlanc, and numerous cousins.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will take place later this month.

Rick would have appreciated memorial donations to an animal shelter.

Arrangements are in the care of Knight Funeral Home, Windsor, VT.

Online Condolences are welcomed at www.knightfuneralhomes.com