NH Dept. of Cultural Resources Commissioner Passes Away

CONCORD, NH – Van McLeod, the commissioner for New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, passed away on the morning of July 18, 2016, according to a press statement from Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter.

McLeod, according to Hassan, was currently the longest tenured head of a state agency. McLeod devoted his life to promoting the arts in state of New Hampshire, as well as Concord and the capital region, and had been a commissioner since 1992.

“The preservation and promotion of cultural and historic resources is ingrained in the high quality of life we enjoy in New Hampshire, critical to our cultural identity, our economy and our vibrant communities and civic life,” she stated. “Van McLeod was a pillar of our cultural and historic institutions, and Tom and I join his family and loved ones, the arts and humanities communities and people across the state in mourning his loss. He was an extraordinary friend to many people and touched the lives of countless others, and he will be missed enormously.”

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, offered condolences to the family and noted that McLeod would be greatly missed.

“Joe and I are deeply saddened by the passing of a great New Hampshire public servant and my friend, Van McLeod," she said. "As Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Resources, Van not only did wonderful work for the people of New Hampshire, but also was a leader among his fellow Commissioners, bringing people together to collaborate on improving state services. He always brought a positive and optimistic perspective to his work addressing our state’s needs, and I know New Hampshire is a better place because of his contributions to the arts and to state government.”

State Senate President Chuck Morse, R-Salem, also issued a statement offering condolences to the family, friends and colleagues."

“We have all had the distinctive opportunity to work with Commissioner McLeod, who brought to the department his unending passion for the arts and commitment to strengthening cultural resources across New Hampshire," he said. "Commissioner McLeod was a genuine and highly regarded individual and a truly dedicated public servant whose work to preserve and grow the arts community in our state will be forever remembered.”

U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, agreed.

“With the passing of Commissioner Van McLeod today, we lost one of New Hampshire’s greatest champions of the state’s vibrant and varied cultural resources," she said in a statement. "It was always a pleasure to work with Van and his department in our shared efforts to promote the arts, historical resources, and culture. As New Hampshire’s longest serving commissioner, Van leaves an unprecedented legacy of service to the Granite State, and his stewardship of our state’s culture and history will be sorely missed. Van was a very dear friend of mine, and my thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Joan, and his loved ones during this difficult time.”

McLeod was active in many different causes and would show up at nearly any and every event or arts promotion effort he was asked to attend or be a part of. Before working for the state, he was an artistic director for the North Country Center for the Arts and also the founder of First Night New Hampshire in the early-to-mid-1980s. McLeod was also active in theatre productions in Warner, Somerville, MA, and Boston, MA, in the 1970s.

In 2013, McLeod was named to the Who’s Who Amond Business and Professional Achievers. He was appointed to his sixth term as commissioner in 2013.

Hassan directed flags in New Hampshire to be lowered to half-staff on the day of his funeral. No funeral information was available at post time.

Caption: A Patch file photo from July 2014 of Van McLeod speaking at a press conference about the Gov. John Winant memorial.