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Samuel Gundy Obituary
Samuel C. Gundy, 92, Lincoln Park, passed away on Friday, April 23, 2010, at home.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Irvin G. Gundy and Catharine (Glass) Gundy.
He was the husband of Mary E. (Dunkleberger) Gundy. The couple shared 66 years of marriage.
He was a 1936 graduate of Reading High School and received his B.S. in science education in 1946 from Kutztown State College.
In 1953, he received a master's degree in natural science from Cornell University. He also attended Albright College, Temple University and Colorado State University, the latter under a National Science Foundation Fellowship.
He was a life member of both the Alumni Association of Reading High School and the Kutztown University Alumni Association.
He served in the United States Army during World War II, first as an engineer with the 88th Heavy Pontoon Battalion and with the U.S. Army Air Forces as a bomber pilot, flying a B-17 Flying Fortress.
He was a prisoner of war for 15 months in Germany and a recipient of the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Bronze Star.
His post military involvement included being a member of the 388th Bomb Group Association, the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Disabled American Veterans, the Smithsonian Air & Space and the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading.
He worked as a nature specialist and supervisor of 32 playgrounds for the city of Reading Recreation Department from in 1939 to 1940; was a teacher of entomology, vertebrate zoology and ornithology for the Reading Public Museum, the assistant director for the museum and art gallery from 1953 to 1956, and the director of the museum from 1957 to 1967; a teacher of biology and botany at Reading Senior High School from 1946 to 1952; a member of the Ford Foundation Fellowship from 1952 to 1953, under which he surveyed 85 museums in the United States, Canada and Mexico; and assistant professor of natural sciences at Kutztown State College, where in 1981, he was declared professor emeritus.
Other memberships included the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, a field chapter charter member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Kiwanis Club of Reading, honorary member of the Berks Camera Club; and member of the National and International Wildlife Federation, Green Valley Country Club and Camp Joy for Underprivileged Children.
He served on the board of directors of the Boys' Home. He was an honorary life member of the Baird Ornithological Club, the Mengel Natural History Society, the Berks Mineralogical Society and the Reading Stamp Collectors Club.
He served in leadership positions of many of the above organizations.
He received the Paul Harris Fellowship award from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, an honor bestowed through his son, Gregory.
He was a naturalist and published Along Nature's Trail, a weekly nature column in the Reading Eagle from 1968 to 1982. He also was included in a collection of first person accounts of World War II airmen in the book "Through the Eye of the Needle."
In later years, his students wrote nature books dedicated to Mr. Gundy.
Other special honors include in 1968, when he received the medal of merit from the Latvian Free World Federation; the opportunity to open an air war museum in 1989, in The Netherlands, and in 1994, when he was appointed director emeritus of the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery.
He was also a member of Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Gregory Samuel Gundy, husband of Marilyn J. Gundy, Green Cove Springs, Fla.; and a daughter, Barbara Louise (Gundy), wife of Kerry "Smokey " Stover, Mohnton.
There are also four grandchildren: Derek, Erin, Chad and Josh; and two great grandchildren, Jaiden and Alexis.
A memorial service will be held at Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church, 1 Carlisle Ave., Reading, PA 19609, on Saturday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jerry McGrath officiating. Private burial in Alsace Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529; Heartland Hospice, 4 Park Plaza, Suite 105, Wyomissing, PA 19610; or the church at the above listed address.
Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Gundy
Linda Schroeder
May 20, 2010
There were two giant men who had a tremendous impact on my life. The first was Mr. Frank Keim, who taught me Biology at Kutztown High School, and the second was Mr.Sam Gundy at Kutztown State College. Mr. Keim awakened a love of biology in me that I was surprised to become aware of. Mr. Gundy created within my deepest soul a passion for that part of Biology that is wildlife, the environment, and conservation. He had a profound influence on so many of my fellow students at KSC. His passion for nature was so contagious. He was a very dedicated teacher who taught me so many things, but you can never get enough of a great man's lessons. You are left thirsty for more. He was willing to give you more.
The impact that Mr. Gundy had on my life was so powerful that it also influenced my children and the children that I work with at church, school, and scouts. It flows through the generations. I was a bit uneasy about the insect collection that Mr. Gundy required us to prepare, but today I mentor young entymologists, and I've used that collection dozens of times.
THANK YOU, MR. GUNDY!! I'm so overjoyed to have had the honor of knowing you and learning from you. You surely must have been one of God's angels.
Harry Schaeffer
April 28, 2010
Both my wife and I are deeply saddened at the loss of our good friend Sam Gundy.We first met him and his wife shortly after I began teaching science at Reading High in 1952. Our friendship quickly developed and during the ensuing years we embarked on endless field trips to collect minerals and fossils, and to "bird watch".
A book could be written about the many experiences and memories we shared during the past 58 years. But the best memories centered on Sam's unending impact he had on the lives of others, both as a naturalist and teacher. As friends we had lots of laughs and as colleagues we had many scientific successes. My life was blessed to have been his friend.
To Mary: we are saddened at your loss but we know that you and Sam had a wonderful life together and those memories will carry you on. He was very fortunate to have your love, companionship and support during his lifetime.
Harry and Eleanor Schaeffer
Key West - Florida
Pam Munroe
April 27, 2010
Sam's love of all things nature and his ability to both teach and share that love influenced the lives of everyone he met. I am grateful and privileged to have known Sam as a friend and mentor. His words and memory will live with all of us each day we see a flower or hear a bird sing. My warmest thoughts are with his family as they send his spirit to the world of nature he so loved.
April 26, 2010
With Deepest Sympathy,
Carim Eye And Retina Center
Mark Romutis
April 26, 2010
I met Sam at the WWII show back in the 90s. We developed a great friendship over the years and spent many days talking about the war, flying, fossils and nature. It was an honor to spend that time with him and Mary. His memory will live on with my family, especially with Little Sam, my son. Fly high, Big Sam, we'll see you up in 'Lady Blue'!
William Fox Munroe
April 25, 2010
Singly, Sam was the most positively influential person in my life that brought a natural love for nature into a perspective of recognition and appreciation. We shared a strong passion for reptiles and amphibians that certainly was enhanced thru the Rdg. Museum nature courses when I was about 12. Thank you Sam for allowing me the opportunity to 'realize' a common infatuation that to this day is one of the most satisfying and rewarding aspects of my life. And thank you too for allowing me have enjoyed the "spirit of the wild" that we had in common.
Bill Munroe
Roxanna Swoyer
April 25, 2010
Mr. Gundy was one of favorite teachers at Reading High. I was one of his pupils that could hardly wait to go to his biology room/attached greenhouse after school to help clean out animal cages, etc. that were in the classroom. It was such a pleasure to just be around such a "light-in-the-world" person. I am glad to hear that he enjoyed such a long life.........Roxanna Blimline Swoyer, Class of 1954.
April 25, 2010
Mr. Gundy taught so much about love for God, work ethic, sacrifice for country, grace and mercy, and love for a passion. He paid me for cutting his grass every week, even when I didn't do the best job. He taught me how to record seventeen-year cicadas chirping and historic trains passing, and to photograph and enjoy Cecropia and Luna moths. He was so soft spoken, but so giant as a man. Thank God for Mr. Gundy!
Jonell Brown
April 25, 2010
Mr. Gundy was one of my favorite teachers at Reading High. He always made the class very interesting.
To Mrs. Gundy and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this sorrowful time...Jonell Cook Brown, RHS Class of 1952
eva bausher
April 25, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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