(Obituary excerpts as provided by the Butterworth and Kloppenburg Family)
Timothy “Tim” Butterworth, teacher, carpenter, writer, woodsman, and New Hampshire State Representative, died on Jan. 25, 2026, at 81 years old.
He was born on May 18, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, the second of four siblings, all of whom considered him their biggest supporter and strongest defender. His mother, Miriam “Mims” Brooks Butterworth, was an educator, activist, and served as the Acting President at Hartford College for Women (1979-80). His father, Oliver “Bud” Butterworth, was an author and professor of English at the College for 40 years.
The Butterworth’s relationship with Hartford College began in the late 1930s with Paul Butterworth and his sister-in- law, Elizabeth Butterworth, as the college transitioned from “Mount Holyoke College in Hartford” (located at the YWCA in Hartford) to “Hartford Junior College” (located on Highland Street in West Hartford). Paul and Elizabeth were considered visionaries and pioneers in their dedication to, and philanthropic support of, education. By the late 1940s, Paul served as chairman of the board of Hartford College. Elizabeth also served on the Board of Trustees.
In 1957, Paul helped negotiate and acquire the 13-acre Seaverns estate property that became the new home in 1958 for Hartford College for Women at 1265 Asylum Avenue. He also predicted the importance of Hartford College for Women’s long-term relationship with the University of Hartford, a vision that would come to fruition until years later.
In 1960, the Seaverns home was named Butterworth Hall in recognition and honor of Paul and Elizabeth’s contributions and commitment to the College. Butterworth Hall became the central gathering place for students and housed the College’s administrative building, President Laura Johnson’s office, and the library.
Tim’s childhood was spent largely in West Hartford, Connecticut, and Center Sandwich, New Hampshire. He graduated from the Loomis Chaffee School in 1962 and Dartmouth College in 1966, where he spent four years rowing crew and earning a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature. He married Sue Ann Hallock, a 1962 graduate of Hartford College for Women, before receiving his master’s degree in American Literature from the University of North Carolina in 1967. He taught at Vermont Academy and became the father of two children. In 1970, he began teaching at Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School in Townsend, Vermont, where he also became the head negotiator for the teacher’s union and fought relentlessly for fair pay and health coverage. He and Sue purchased a 60-acre farm in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
The farm, known as Sugarbush Hill, became Tim’s lifelong passion. With the help of his second wife, Kay Kloppenburg, the farm grew to be the epicenter of a large community of students and foreign travelers who began as housemates and, as a result of Tim’s warmth, care and inclusion, became family.
An enthusiastic traveler, Tim studied for a master’s degree in English as a Second Language at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont, and spent three months traveling in South America and teaching ESL in La Paz, Bolivia. He and Kay enjoyed sabbaticals from teaching in Vermont by living abroad and teaching ESL in Granada, Spain and San Jose, Costa Rica. They also spent a year teaching in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., where Tim taught literacy to children of immigrants while working at the Institute for Policy Studies. Wherever he left tracks, Tim’s path always led home to New Hampshire and the countryside he loved.
From 1996-2000, he served the town of Chesterfield as Selectman and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. In these positions, he worked tirelessly to promote environmental conservation and marriage equality. He was elected a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2006-2010.
His friend and colleague Tim Kipp commented, “Tim always lived a life larger than his personal happiness. His world was truly of sisters and brothers; their trials were his trials. Calmness was his strength. His anger over injustice was expressed in understanding, wisdom, a well-aimed wry comment and, above all, action.”
Tim is survived by his wife Kay and their son Lateef Jackson (Melissa); children Brook (Benjamin Newland) and Ben (Diane Arabian); siblings Mike, Dan and Kate; grandchildren Isabelle, Miranda, Benjamin, Abel and Amelie; six nieces and nephews; and the dozens of people who lived or stayed at his farm and became part of his chosen family.
The Butterworths have also left their mark on The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s LEAD program, a unique Hartford College for Women legacy program for students at the University of Hartford. Mims’ “Just Say Yes” philosophy is integrated into the heart of LEAD student teachings—to “just say yes” and embrace life’s challenges, adventures, and opportunities.
In 2020, the Miriam and Oliver Butterworth & Family LEAD Program Endowed Fund was established to underwrite this innovative program that makes a difference in students' lives.
The Women’s Advancement Initiative thanks the Butterworth Family for their years of dedication, devotion, wisdom, and philanthropy, contributing to the great history and legacy of Hartford College for Women and enriching the lives of others.
A celebration of Tim’s life will be held in Chesterfield in the spring. In his honor, Tim’s family welcomes support for the following cause:
The Women’s Advancement Initiative at the University of Hartford
Visit www.hartford.edu/womensadvancement and select “Make a Gift.” Type “Butterworth Family Fund” in the comments section.