Nicholas Sanford Gamertsfelder

Pembroke – Nicholas S. Gamertsfelder, 57, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2009 with his family by his side at a Bangor hospital. Nick was born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 27, 1952, son of the late William and Lee (Kuhlman) Gamertsfelder. After graduating high school, he received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and his Master’s Degree from Drake University. Along with his wife Karla, Mr. G volunteered for the Peace Corps in Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. He taught for several years in Clinton, Iowa and then, along with his wife, moved to Maine in 1980. He was a teacher’s assistant for the University of Maine in Orono while obtaining his teaching accreditation for Maine. After moving downeast, Mr. G worked in Pleasant Point and then went on to take a teaching position at Shead High School in Eastport, where he has taught Social Studies for over 20 years. His love for education and children led him to create many programs at the school. He created the Down East Chess Conference and coached Shead High School’s Chess Team for many years; he was instrumental in the creation of the weight lifting program at the school; Mr. G also coached many students in the Voice of Democracy Competition. Each year, he was active in “Operation Santa” where he, along with his students, ensured children received gifts during the holidays and families received food baskets. Mr. G further extended education beyond the classroom by taking his students to the local cemeteries in order to decorate the graves of area veterans. He was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2005. Nick greatly enjoyed cooking, playing chess, reading prolifically, woodworking, white water rafting, target shooting, friendly debates, and spending time with his family. Surviving are his loving wife of 35 years, Karla Gamertsfelder; four children, Nicholas Gamertsfelder and his fiancée Kara Henderson of Standish, Sarah Webber and her husband Paul of Writtle, England, SRA Rachel Gamertsfelder, U.S.A.F., of San Antonio, TX, and Zachary Gamertsfelder of Pembroke; a sister, Susan Meisenheimer and her husband Dean of Creston, Iowa, two brothers-in-law, Robert Naegele of Kansas and Richard Naegele of Oklahoma; a niece and nephew, Nyssa and Nevin Meisenheimer, both of Iowa; and many dear friends. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais & Eastport.


Services:
2:00PM at St. Joseph R.C. Church on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 (map/driving directions)