Arthur H. Nighswander
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Hanover---Arthur H. Nighswander, a prominent New Hampshire attorney, died on December 5, 2008 at age 100. He had recently celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends at Kendal of Hanover where he has lived for the last 15 years.

Mr. Nighswander practiced law in Laconia and Hanover, NH for over 70 years and among his many honors, received a distinguished service award from the New Hampshire Bar Association. While his primary practice was in estate and tax law, he was also active in protecting civil liberties and appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court arguing cases of freedom of speech and assembly. For his dedication to individual liberties, he received an award from the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union. For the past 10 years, He has practiced with the Hanover-based firm of Stebbins, Bradley, Wood & Harvey.

Mr. Nighswander was concerned that the legal profession had lost its ethical leadership and the pursuit of victory and its financial rewards overshadowed traditional values of ethics and justice. As President of the New Hampshire Bar Association, and throughout his career, He spoke often of the need to revitalize these values.

His concern with legal matters was also reflected in his dedication to community service. He served as President of the Lakes Region General Hospital where a fund in his name and that of his late wife, Esther, was established to support health services for the medically needy. He was also President/Chairman of such diverse organizations as The Spaulding Youth Center, in Tilton, the Laconia School Board, the NH Social Welfare Council, The United Way and the NH Music Festival, of which he was a founding member. He received numerous awards for his community service.

His late wife, Esther, joined him on many of his community projects until her death in 1997.

He leaves a daughter, Mildred Larson of Eau Claire Wisconsin, a son Andrew of Marblehead, Massachusetts and the widow of his son Warren, Margaret of Gilmanton, New Hampshire. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 in the afternoon on January 3, 2009, in the Gathering Room at Kendal, 80 Lyme Road, in Hanover.

In lieu of other tributes, the family suggests contributions to the Spaulding Youth Center, POBox 189, 130 Shedd Road, Tilton, 03276, and the New Hampshire Music Festival, 52 Symphony Lane, Center Harbor, 03226.

“He had to live that long to accomplish that much”

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is in charge of the arrangements.