David Dill

David Dill, 68, of Lyndonville, died Thursday evening February 26, 2015 at his home with family by his side, after a long and very satisfying career in federal, state, and local governments. David was born and raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from Wake Forest University in 1968. (Later in life he would obtain a master's degree from the University of Southern California.) He joined the Air Force and became a pilot, spending much time in the T-38 as an instructor. His primary combat aircraft was the FB-111, flying out of Pease and Plattsburgh, although later in his career he was also the vice commander of a B-1 wing. David spent three years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense working NATO and arms control issues. He spent about one week of every month in various NATO countries for related discussions. The highlight of this tour was participating in the delegation working the Reagan/Gorbachev Summit in Geneva in 1985. During their 20+ year Air Force career, Dave and his wife, Vicki lived in 12 different states across the country. Retiring from the Air Force as a full colonel in late 1989, Dave and Vicki moved to Lyndonville in early 1990. Dave had been hired as the first municipal administrator, and he spent the next eight years immersed in a wide variety of town and village issues. Examples of the projects under his tenure include a new Village water treatment system constructed after extensive Superfund negotiations; the replacement of the Village sewer infrastructure as part of a sewer/stormwater separation project, the complete repaving of Village streets; the consolidation of municipal offices and moving those offices from Main Street to the current location; the expansion of the Cobleigh Library, including updated handicapped accessibility and the installation of the computer center; the restoration of the Mathewson Block after being gutted by fire; and the conversion of the Lyndon Corner School to a medical building. David was also largely credited with improved communication between boards and the press. In 1998 David was ready for an employment change and became the Director of Maintenance for the State Agency of Transportation, responsible for routine maintenance of all state highways. Over the next few years additional responsibilities were assigned - first airports, then rail and public transit functions - when his division evolved into the "Operations Division". In 2004 he was named the Deputy Secretary of the Agency; in 2008 he was appointed Secretary, which he held until retirement. Dill was the last Secretary of Transportation under Governor Jim Douglas. Mr. Dill always retained his interest in protecting and promoting the interests of Lyndon residents after leaving employment with the Town. He was a Town Selectman for many years. At his death he was not only a Selectman, but also a Director in the Lyndon Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lyndon Area Development Corporation, and an NVRH Corporator. David's outside interests included gardening and boating. His favorite time was the annual family reunion when his children and grandchildren would join him and his wife at their favored beach in Ocean City, NJ. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Vicki Dill of Lyndonville; their three children: D. Charles Dill Jr. (Chuck) and his wife Lorie of Martinsburg, WV, Tara Whalen of Denver, CO and Robyn Rice and her husband David of Brooklyn, NY; eight grandchildren, Dillon, Ashton, Katie, Bailey, Andrew, Alex, Avery and Isaac; his father Charles Dill of New Holland, PA; his sister, Melodee Stephens and her husband Mark of Elverson, PA; two brothers, John Dill of Philadelphia, PA and Steve Dill and his wife Marge of Newtown Square, PA; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Doris Dill in 2011. Funeral services will be held in Lyndonville on Saturday March 7, at 11:00 AM at the Lyndonville First Congregational Church located on Middle Street, with the Rev. Judi Horgan officiating. Donations made in his memory may be directed to either Caledonia Home Health Care (marked for Hospice) 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to the Lyndon Area Food Shelf, 51 Elm St. P.O. Box 609, Lyndonville, VT 05851. Private on-line condolences may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com. Arrangements are by Guibord Funeral Home of Lyndonville.