The remarkable A.H. Chatfield, Jr., "Chat" to his many friends around the world, is pictured at right in 1998 at age 98.

Chat continued his interest in the Belted Galloway breed and Aldermere's fine herd to the moment of his death at age 99 in July, 1999. Aldermere for almost 50 years provided and continues to provide top quality foundation stock to farms all over the U.S. With considerable forethought, Aldermere was deeded to a land conservancy and the herd continues under the ministrations of Dwight Howard.

Aldermere's early stock was purchased in 1953 from Harry Prock of Hapwood Farm in Pennsylvania, one of the first importers of Belties from Scotland. Chat himself traveled seven times to the U.K. between 1955 and 1972, and during that period imported Lullenden Irene and Lullenden Arigusta from the Ian Hamilton herd, along with the bull Mochrum Orion which replaced first herd sire Aldermere Hapwood Dandie. In 1960 Burnside Great Scot, Supreme Belted Galloway in Scotland, was imported.

In 1966 two heifers were acquired from the Whittingehame herd at East Lothian. Chat notes that the dam which produced one of these heifers, Whittingehame Serena Neilson, was the largest Beltie cow he had ever seen, weighing 1600 lbs.

He served on the U.K. Belted Galloway Cattle Society's Council, and was twice President of the U.S. Belted Galloway Society. Chatfield judged Belties at the Royal Highland Show in 1962, and at the Royal Show in England in 1972.

The 135-acre Aldermere Farm had been in the Chatfield family since 1899, and is situated on the rocky coast of Maine where both cows and people enjoy beautifully scenic views in every direction. The farm was the family's summer residence for many years, and cows were kept only for meat and milk until the 1950s when Chat and his late wife Marion moved there and established the Aldermere Belted Galloway herd.

Chat's 'other' career was financial adviser to an investment firm, and he remained interested and involved in the stock market, spending at least half of each day in his office surrounded by Beltie photos and memorabilia, poring over portfolios as diligently as herd genealogies.

In 1998 the bull Aldermere Ajax was first recipient of the U.S. show circuit's point system Gold Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting his progeny's excellent placements in the show ring. Fittingly, Chat was named both Breeder of the Year and Exhibitor of the Year, and his heifer Aldermere Marie II was Show Female of the Year.

When congratulated on this fine showing, Chat was quick to give credit to his excellent herdsmen Dwight Howard and Kevin Woltemath.

A.H. Chatfield, Jr. made a tremendous impact on growth and proliferation of the U.S. Beltie herds. We know that his friends around the world will be pleased to learn that he remained enthusiastic about the breed to the last day of his long and estimable life.