ORONO – Professor Emeritus, Richard Woodman Gerry Ph.D., 89, died June 9, 2004, at an Orono health care center. He was born in Lewiston, Nov. 23, 1914, the son of Ernest Melvin and Rudy Marion (Wheeler) Gerry. He had lived in Orono since 1948. Early in life, he moved to Sticklands Ferry, to live with his grandparents and later back to Lewiston, where he graduated from Lewiston High School in 1933. He graduated with distinction from the University of Maine, Class of 1938, where he majored in poultry husbandry. Later, he earned his master’s degree and PhD at Purdue University in Purdue, Indiana, in Animal Nutrition. An undergraduate member of Phi Mu Delta National Fraternity, served the local chapter as comptroller and for many years on the board of directors. Dr. Gerry was a member of the National Phi Mu Delta officers for 14 years as Educational Advisor and in various other capacities. While he was an undergraduate, he was elected to the Agricultural Honor Society, Alpha Zeta, and the Agricultural Club. While in graduate school, he was elected to the Sigma Xi Research Society. Following his graduation from the University of Maine, Dr. Gerry installed and taught vocational agriculture at Waldoboro High School from 1938 to 1942 and Corinna Union Academy from 1942 to 1943. He also taught chemistry at Corinna. He was research assistant in the poultry department at Purdue University for five years while working towards his graduate degrees. He returned to his Alma Mater in 1948 as an associate poultry husbandman, was promoted to professor of poultry science in 1956 and retired on Dec. 31, 1984. Dr. Gerry was active in the Boy Scouts of America for more than 58 years, first as a scout in Lewiston, then as a scoutmaster in Waldoboro and finally in many positions with Troop 47, Orono, and the Katahdin Area Council. He received the Silver Beaver, highest Council award, in 1963. He represented the Council at many Regional and National BSA meetings. Dr. Gerry served on the Orono Public Library Board of Trustees for many years, and chairperson for 10 years. He was very active in numerous Philatelic circles including the P.V. Stamp Club, Bangor, President of Belfast Stamp Club, Exhibit Chairman of the Maine Philatelic Society and vice-president of Cartophilatelists International. He was voted Philatelic of the year in 1985 by the Maine Philatelic Society. He won many awards for his exhibits at stamp shows over the years. Dr. Gerry was a member of the Newman Apostolate, as well as the Church of Universal Fellowship in Orono, where he was active in the Men’s Club. He was a 65 year member of Meenahga Grange No. 555 of Waldoboro, a 50 year member of Mechanics Lodge No. 66 A.F. & A.M., Orono, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Bangor, Maine Consistory 32nd Degree, Portland, Anah Shriners and the Orono-Old Town Shrine Club. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Corinne (Paddock) in 1981. Surviving are his three sons, Richard Jr. of Charleston, S.C., Brian and wife, Mary Ann, of Old Town, and Dale and Dale Marie of College Park, Md.; five grandchildren, Trish Gerry of Norfolk, Mass., Jim Gerry of Brooklyn, N.Y., Richard Gerry III of Charleston, S.C., Gail and husband, Pat Johnson of Coos Bay, Ore., Jeff Gerry of Raymond, N.H.; three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. A very special thank you to the caring staff at Orono Commons. Friends may call 3-7 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Brookings-Smith LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono. A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 12, at a time to be announced, at the Gracelawn Memorial Park, Auburn. Those who wish to remember Dick in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Katahdin Area Council, Inc., BSA, PO Box 1869, Bangor, ME 04402-1869.
DR. RICHARD ‘DICK’ GERRY
