Richard Ernest Plante, "Rich", passed away on August 17, 2025 at the age of 80 from natural causes at his home in Alton, NH.

He was born to Gerard and Marie Plante on February 11, 1945 in Cambridge, MA. Rich was the fourth of six brothers in the family; the others being Gerard Jr., Lawrence, Milton, George and Roger. They grew up together in Cambridge as a very tight knit family and this closeness extended into adulthood. Throughout the years they were in contact with each other on a weekly basis, visited each other frequently and often celebrated holidays together. Without fail, they would join together during the summer for barbecues with all their children.

Rich was married to Ina Plante on January 1, 1974, right across the street from the house he was born and grew up in; this year they had celebrated their 51st Wedding Anniversary. Before moving to NH in 1977 they had lived briefly in both Cambridge and Medford MA. Their favorite place is the cliffs alongside York Beach, ME.

He was a machinist, tool and die maker, draftsman, welder and fabricator his whole life and was a patented inventor of the "Form-Kut" used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry in the 1970s and 1980s. Rich and his brother George founded R&G Machine in 1969 in Somerville, MA and a few years later it became R.E. Plante Co. He was always hard at work and the company boasted numerous semiconductor equipment, aerospace & defense and other industry customers in both MA and NH. In recent years R.E. Plante Co. was most recognized in the Lakes Region for its highly regarded signature custom spiral staircases and railings which are installed in over 50 luxury homes in the area.

Rich was almost always plying his trade and would rather spend time working in the machine shop or welding than with hobbies. Also, he could seemingly perform magic with automobile engines and any other mechanical machinery. And, while his children were growing up, the family raised a variety of farm animals. Not shy of sharing his opinion, Rich was patriotic and always willing to join in a spirited conversation about politics and our country. He was intensely devoted to his family and over the years spent most of his free time with Ina, the children and their families or the extended families of his brothers. At night he could be found drafting, on the phone with one of his brothers or sitting quietly at home with his wife.

Richard is survived by Ina Plante of Alton, NH and their children Jeff Plante, (born August 16th, 1965) and his wife Heather and Kristina Lisitano (born August 14th, 1969) and her husband Andy Bennett and four grandchildren: Zoe, Kayleigh, Zane and Zack who all affectionately called him "Papa". He was predeceased by his parents and four of his brothers, Gerard Jr., Lawrence, George and Roger and is survived by Milton. He was also very fond of his dogs Sasha and also Shorty from years ago. Albert Poussard has been his closest friend for many years and will be continuing to run Rich's company.

A Memorial Service for Richard will be held on Friday, August 29th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Peaslee Alton Funeral Home, 12 School Street in Alton, NH. All are welcome. Anyone interested in sending flowers for the Service can do so by sending to the funeral home. To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com

"So too the smith sitting by the anvil, intent on the iron he forges.
The flame from the fire sears his flesh, yet he toils away in the furnace heat.
The clang of the hammer deafens his ears; his eyes are on the object he is shaping.
His determination is to finish the work, and he is careful to perfect it in detail.
These are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own work;
Without them no city could be lived in, and wherever they stay, they do not go hungry.
They are not sought out for the council of the people, nor are they prominent in the assembly.
Yet they maintain the fabric of the world, and their concern is for exercise of their skill" (Sirach 38).