In Memory Of
Erich Naethe
1927
2012
Erich Naethe
May 22, 1927 — March 4, 2012
Erich William Naethe, 84, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2012.
He was born May 22, 1927, in Kalispell, Montana, the son of Erich Rudolph Max and Mae Curtis Naethe. He graduated with a BA in General Studies degree from Washington State University in 1953.
He served in the United States Army during World War II.
He had a life long association with The Boy Scouts of America. He was a professional Boy Scout executive until 1974 and attended the National and World Scout Jamborees in 1969 and 1970. He was an Eagle Scout. While working for the Boy Scouts, he lived in Alaska, Idaho, Washington, and Topeka Kansas. He later worked for American United Life Insurance Company in Topeka, until his retirement in 2001.
He was active in the White Lakes Optimist Club from 1976 until his death and served in many capacities on the club and state level, including serving as president 4 times. He served as chairman of the arts and crafts section of both Railroad Days and the Spirit of Kansas. He was a member of the Cider Days committee for the American Lung Association. He remained active in Boy Scout activities throughout his life. He served as president of the board for Rochester Cemetery. He was a longtime volunteer with the Stormont Vail Auxiliary.
He married Marian Lesan in 1948. They were later divorced. He married Wilma Carver on August 6, 1971. She survives, of the home. Besides his wife, Erich is survived by his sister Martha Arthur, Sunriver, OR, his children Claudia Kersey of Topeka, Kathryn Schartz of Lawrence, KS, Connie Gent, Burlington, WA, Nancy Baker (Richard) of Manhattan, KS, Kendall Naethe (Gail), of Everett, WA, 15 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Grace Naethe, a daughter, Caroline Gibson-Sullivan, and a grandson, Toby Gibson.
Erich loved working with children. For many years, with the Optimist club, he drove their train at fundraising events. He was known fondly as Grumpa by his grandchildren, and Great Grumpy by his great grandchildren.
Mr. Naethe was cremated. A memorial ceremony will be Thursday, March 8 at 10:00 am at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Private interment of his cremated remains will be at Rochester Cemetery, Topeka at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the White Lakes Optimist Club or to the Stormont-Vail Foundation.
He was born May 22, 1927, in Kalispell, Montana, the son of Erich Rudolph Max and Mae Curtis Naethe. He graduated with a BA in General Studies degree from Washington State University in 1953.
He served in the United States Army during World War II.
He had a life long association with The Boy Scouts of America. He was a professional Boy Scout executive until 1974 and attended the National and World Scout Jamborees in 1969 and 1970. He was an Eagle Scout. While working for the Boy Scouts, he lived in Alaska, Idaho, Washington, and Topeka Kansas. He later worked for American United Life Insurance Company in Topeka, until his retirement in 2001.
He was active in the White Lakes Optimist Club from 1976 until his death and served in many capacities on the club and state level, including serving as president 4 times. He served as chairman of the arts and crafts section of both Railroad Days and the Spirit of Kansas. He was a member of the Cider Days committee for the American Lung Association. He remained active in Boy Scout activities throughout his life. He served as president of the board for Rochester Cemetery. He was a longtime volunteer with the Stormont Vail Auxiliary.
He married Marian Lesan in 1948. They were later divorced. He married Wilma Carver on August 6, 1971. She survives, of the home. Besides his wife, Erich is survived by his sister Martha Arthur, Sunriver, OR, his children Claudia Kersey of Topeka, Kathryn Schartz of Lawrence, KS, Connie Gent, Burlington, WA, Nancy Baker (Richard) of Manhattan, KS, Kendall Naethe (Gail), of Everett, WA, 15 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Grace Naethe, a daughter, Caroline Gibson-Sullivan, and a grandson, Toby Gibson.
Erich loved working with children. For many years, with the Optimist club, he drove their train at fundraising events. He was known fondly as Grumpa by his grandchildren, and Great Grumpy by his great grandchildren.
Mr. Naethe was cremated. A memorial ceremony will be Thursday, March 8 at 10:00 am at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Private interment of his cremated remains will be at Rochester Cemetery, Topeka at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the White Lakes Optimist Club or to the Stormont-Vail Foundation.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Erich Naethe, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
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