HAROLD NUGENT Obituary
Harold E. Nugent, 77, retired linguistics professor and environmental educator, died suddenly on October 14, 2010.
Born August 22, 1933 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, to Dorothy and Elmer Nugent, he grew up in Groveton, New Hampshire, graduating from Groveton High School in 1951.
He served as quartermaster (navigation) in the US Navy from 1951 - 1954, aboard the USS Fulton, a submarine tender.
He studied English at Keene Teachers College, receiving his masters from Breadloaf School of English and his doctorate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He taught at Lebanon and Monadnock high schools before joining the English Department at Keene State College, part of the University System of New Hampshire. He taught linguistics and rhetoric there for 23 years. A proponent of development of developmental English, he established a writing center there before his early retirement in 1988.
He and his wife, Susan, moved to the Florida Keys in 1991. There he began to volunteer for the National Key Deer Refuge, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and Bahia Honda State Park, developing his knowledge and love of environmental education. Honored by the Florida Chapter of the Nature Conservancy with a 1995 Conservation Colleague Award, Harold was instrumental in founding FAVOR-Florida Keys (Friends and Volunteers of Refuges). The National Wildlife Refuge System named him Volunteer of the Year in 1999.
In 2000, the Nugents moved to Gainesville where Harold continued his work in conservation, becoming known as the Alligator Man for his work of taking alligators to elementary schools throughout Alachua County. Again, he became a founding member of a Friends group, this time for Cedar Key and Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuges. He joined the Crocodilian Specialist Group, furthering his expertise in crocodilian education. His volunteer activities at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park resulted in the Florida State Park Award of Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. In 2008, he was named Conservation Steward by Alachua Conservation Trust. A member of the Atheneum Society at the University of Florida, he presented his research on alligators and crocodiles.
Harold served on the vestries of three Episcopal churches: St. James in Keene, NH; St. Francis in the Keys in Big Pine Key, FL; and Holy Trinity in Gainesville, FL. He also served as chaplain in the USS Fulton Association.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Susan; his children, Steven, Lloyd, and Erin, and their mother, Gloria; his brothers Robert and Richard; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Memorial Service will be conducted Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 100 NE First Street, with Rev. Louanne Loch officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA 823 NW 143rd Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to FAVOR - Florida Keys P.O. Box 431840, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-1840 or Alachua Conservation Trust 12 West University Avenue Suite 201 Gainesville, Florida 32601.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA
(352) 376-7556
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Colin Galletly
August 14, 2011
I met Harold in Ireland in 1970 & the following year I travelled to Keene State where I studied for a B.A. Degree in History. It was a privilege to know him.
bob rosenthal
April 23, 2011
susan and family, i just read in "keene state today" of harold's passing, and couldn't help reflecting on the great impact that he had on my own teaching career. for so many of us english majors who made our way through history of the english language and descriptive grammar he was THE man...a legend whom i was fortunate enough to have as a teacher and a friend. sincerely bob rosenthal
November 5, 2010
Susan, We were shocked to read about Harold. It was a pleasure knowing him and knowing about all he accomplished in his life. Carry on with all the wonderful memories you have.
Sincerely, Cindy Faust, Peterborough NH
November 5, 2010
Condolences to you, Susan and family. Harold and I go back fifty-two years as we entered Keene State in l958 and became fraternity brothers at Theta Chi Delta, living in Theta House. Harold had the cleanest room in the house! I remember many good times in Groveton, fishing at Trio Pond. He will be missed. John Faust, Peterborough, NH
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Addison Goering
November 4, 2010
Susan...I got to know you and Harold as a student at KSC in the early 80'. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Even though it has been some time, I remember how his smile could light up a room.
With my sympathies.
October 25, 2010
Susan, Dick, Bob, et al, so sorry to learn of your loss. I considered Harold a very good friend and colleague for a great many years at Keene State College. Like every student he was able to identify as coming from the North Country, he also welcomed me to the faculty at KSC when I arrived in 1971. I admired his efforts to take so many north country students "under his wing" and make them comfortable and welcome so far away from home. Harold had a great sense of humor and was always fun to be around. The entire faculty at KSC had a great deal of respect for him. Doug Nelson (Keene, Colebrook & Groveton, NH)
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Mary Skiba
October 21, 2010
Susan, my heartfelt condolences on your untimely loss. My heart sank when I read Harold's obituary.
He will love forever in the hearts of all who ever knew him and benefited from his quick wit and his love of language and of life.....and of you.
I can still recall, nearly 40 years later, the pure joy of being in his classes.So intellectually stimulating and yet always so much fun!
His encouragement of my love of language and literature prompted me to go to UConn for my graduate work after KSC rather than teach secondary English as I had planned. I will be forever grateful to him for inspiring and supporting me. Imagine how many others benefited as I did from knowing this special man!
I send my sincere condolences and hope that your heart will heal and your memories of your life with him will soothe you and enrich the days ahead.
Mary (Staples) Skiba KSC 1975
Gwen Gadaire
October 21, 2010
Susan,
so sorry to hear of your loss.
Bill Haggerty
October 20, 2010
I first had Hal Nugent as an English teacher when I was a freshman at Lebanon High School in 1959. For the first time in my life I discovered my English class to be exciting and full of discovery. When I found that he would also be my sophomore English Teacher, I couldn't have been happier. Hal taught me to write, to diagram sentences, and to increase my vocabulary. Along with Fred Fosher, a classmate of Hal's at KTC, who would be my English teacher for my last two years of high school, I was inspired not only to become a teacher, but pursue a minor in the subject. It was something that I would never have considered but for their guidance. When I matriculated at Keene Teachers' College, you can imagine my surprise to find Hal and Fred on the college faculty. While I never had them in college, I did enjoy occasional conversations. There have been so many days in years past when I would think back and recall "I can thank Hal Nugent for that." Retiring after 39 years in education, 23 of them as a school superintendent, I will always remember Hal Nugent and how he impacted my life as I am sure he did many others. My sincere condolences to his family.
Jean Mowers
October 20, 2010
Harold Nugent was the best teacher I ever had. My whole English class in Lebanon, N.H. thought he was really special.
Passerose Mantoy-Meade
October 20, 2010
To Erin and your family, thinking of you at this very painful time. All our condolences. Passerose and all your friends in Dublin.
Diana Sommer
October 20, 2010
Susan,
How blessed you have been to have all the years with Harold. He was one of my first professors at KSC and I stayed with him all the way to being a graduate assistant - when we first started Freshman Comp. 101X for non-traditional students. He was a friend, a mentor, an inspiring teacher, and a dear man who will always be remembered. So many times I have thought of him over the years and missed him. Whenever I hear anything about Groveton I think of him and the stories he told about his years there. No matter how many times I use the word garage,(does that second G sound like a J or a SH?) I remember the linguistic lessons and think of him. I only wish I had an opportunity to tell him how much he has influenced my life as a teacher. But I think he knew. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the children.
Diana Sommer (Allen)
Bill Eldridge
October 19, 2010
Susan,
Our (John and I) condolences. My, how time flies since I first got to know you and Harold.
Always the energetic scholar, he always amazed me with his insights, his New England wit, and his friendly personality.
With our sympathy and warm regards,
Bill Eldridge and John Becker
TLC
October 19, 2010
My thoughts go out to his family, I only knew Mr, Nugent a very small time, he was a customer of a store I worked at, but I missed talking to him once I left. Now I will miss him forever.
October 19, 2010
Susan, our dear friend
Our thoughts are with you as we share in your sadness.Let us remember the wounderful times with you and Harold. He will be missed more than words can say. love Sue and Paul Sellers Perry fl
Richard Boyle
October 19, 2010
Thinking of you all, especially Erin & Godi at this time. Harold was a great great scholar who helped so many people and children and he is now at peace.
October 18, 2010
My condolences to Susan and to Harold's children.
Harold was a wonderful teacher and mentor to me and so many students, student teachers and experienced teachers at Keene State College for more than twenty years. He was also a kind man and a friend.
I think of Harold now and recall an old Irish blessing,"May your neighbors respect you,/Trouble neglect you,/The angels protect you,/And heaven accept you."
Ellen Moynihan Keene, NH
Bob & Pam Studebaker
October 18, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. "Uncle" Harold will be missed by all of us. We will remember his smiling face and pleasant conversation.
Richard Dickson
October 18, 2010
Harold was my friend and fellow traveler in the teaching of rhetoric and composition. Our dissertations were separated by twenty years; his dissertation marked the beginning and mine the end of the late-twentieth-century revival of rhetorical studies. I cherish the memories of our conversations about the profession we have together loved.
Paul and Susan Wilson
October 18, 2010
Sincere sympathy to Harolds wife, Susan and his three children....
Paul and Susan Wilson Groveton, NH
Karen D. Kudia
October 18, 2010
Dear Susan and family.
The loss of a husband, Dad is such a milestone for any to go through. Your world changes forever. In some sense we are never ready to say goodbye, especially with a sudden loss. There are so many emotions of mourning, indeed dark hours of grief. I imagine the next few weeks, will be numb with grief yet may you be touched with the loving gifts of others and loving comfort of God's presence. What a legacy he left from the many children he visited with an Alligator or organizing the Paynes Prairie cleanup etc.
My prayer is that God may comfort your grief "with strong, deep persons wise enough to allow you to grieve in the depth of who I am, and strong enough to hear your pain without turning away. May you be around those who believe that the sun will rise again, but who do not fear your darkness. May someone be there to point out the rocks in your way without making you a child by carrying you. May someone stand in thunder and watch the lightning with you and believe in a rainbow." Paraphrased from Fr. Joe Mahoney excerpt from book on grief titled: Forever Remembered.
I enclosed a Prayer of Faith (author unknown:
"We trust that beyond absence
There is a Presence.
That beyond the pain
there can be healing.
That beyond the brokenness
there can be wholeness
That beyond the hurting
there may be forgiveness.
That beyond the silence
there may be the Word.
That through understanding
there is love."
Will continue in prayers for you and your family.
Godspeed Harold. Farewell good and faithful servant.
As Rachel Naomi Remen says in her book, My Grandfather's Blessings, "...We all strengthen the life around us in ways that are uniquely our own. Sometimes we draw on our own life experiences and sometimes on the deepest instincts of our hearts. And, in the end, it may be simply our commitment alone...When someone's life matters deeply to us, the life in us may speak to the life in them directly and have a far greater healing effect than saying the right words..."
This is what we are witnessing even in pain, sadness of such a loss, Harold's legacy brings joy and inspiration to our hearts as we renew our own life callings and commitments.
In loving prayers,
Karen D. Kudia
Robert Hutchinson
October 18, 2010
"Alligator Man", with a warm smile and twinkle in his eye, educated hundreds of children about the facts and fiction surrounding alligators and our natural environment. As a born educator, Harold knew how to connect with the shyest child, who he helped confront their fears, and most would "pet the gator." On behalf of all environmental educators, our condolences. For a picture of Harold with a live alligator: www.AlachuaConservationTrust.org
Mary Cox
October 18, 2010
Harold had such joy in every task he undertook--and such willingness to share his knowledge and time. I am picturing him processing into Trinity Cathedral for the "Celebration of Creation," carrying a baby crocodile, both of them grinning (even if the little croc did bite him at some point along the way). I am giving thanks for his life, and praying for Susan and all of you who grieve his loss.
Patricia Dillon-Killeen
October 18, 2010
Erin, my thoughts are with you, your family and most especially your Dad at this sad time. God Bless.
Richard Hartman
October 18, 2010
The USS FULTON (AS-11) ASSOCIATION sends it's most sincere condolences for the passing of our shipmate Harold E. Nugent.
Jenny OBrien
October 18, 2010
Susan,
We're praying for you and your family. Harold was a special friend to us at St. Francis and very kind in helping me with community service hours for college prep at the time. We remember you both fondly and we're sorry to hear of Harold's passing.
All our best,
Jenny (Normand) O'Brien and Family
Susan Donlon
October 18, 2010
Thinking of you Erin and all of your family at this sad time.
Ann Nolan
October 18, 2010
Sending much love to you, Erin. With deepest sympathy on the death of your Dad and thinking of you, Susan, your Mum, Gloria, your brothers and all your family at this sad time. Your Dad was clearly a very special man.
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