Henry ‘Hank’ Nolan Germond

PINE PLAINS — Henry “Hank” Nolan Germond, 91, of Abernethy Laurels Retirement Community in Newton, N.C., died Dec. 22, 2011. Born March 6, 1920, in Pine Plains, he was the only child of the late June (Elvina) Northrup Germond and Nolan Herbert Germond. Hank received his elementary and secondary education in Pine Plains schools, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1937. He later graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany and followed with a master’s degree in administration and guidance. He met Katherine “Katie” E. Trowbridge in 1938 at the university. They were married May 30, 1947. Hank continued to take additional post-graduate work in school administration at the university.Hank spent his entire professional career in South Colonie Central schools in the suburbs of Albany, N.Y. His various responsibilities included teaching social studies and English, director of adult education, high school vice principal, junior high school principal, director of secondary education, assistant superintendent for instruction and assistant to the superintendent. During his career, school district enrollment rose from 1,000 to 10,000 and eight new schools were opened. He was involved in planning, staffing and opening several new schools and initiated core curriculum, team teaching, flexible scheduling, and developing middle school programs.Hank’s involvement in professional and service activities included: a founding member and past president of Albany County Teachers Assoc., an organizer of South Colonie Teachers Assoc., member of the House of Delegates of New York State Teachers Assoc. for 13 years, chairman of New York State Teacher Education and Professional Standards Commission for five years, a founder and past president of the Suburban Scholastic Council, charter member and past secretary of Colonie Rotary Cub. After his retirement in 1975, he was involved in consultant work in educational administration.In addition to his Katie, his other loves in life were education and administration, and he had a passionate interest in the out-doors and conservation. These interests included mountain hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, sailing and bicycling. Hank was a 40-year member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, where he served eight years as club vice presidencies and two years as president. He initiated the club’s Extended Outings program, organized and led hiking trips to the Canadian Rockies, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Scotland, Wales, England, Wyoming and Iceland. He was past president of the Adirondack 46ers (folks who have climbed the 46 Adirondack peaks over 4,000 feet in elevation). Katie was right by his side and involved as well. He also led 10 schooner cruises off the Maine coast. The fact that Hank was bedridden for five years with tuberculosis before his college years makes his outside adventures even more outstanding. In 1989, the Germonds moved to Abernethy Laurels in Newton, where they remained active for many years. They were members of Grace Reformed United Church of Christ in Newton. Having no children and being the only child in each family, the caring “extended family” of Abernethy Laurels was very important to them. Hank continued to stay in touch with his many friends from the earlier years in New York.Mr. Germond was preceded in death by Katie, his wife of 52 years in 1999. Hank had an insatiable appetite for learning and never missed an opportunity to teach. He leaves behind many friends who greatly respected him for his insight, generosity, determination and sincere friendship.A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, in Spirit Place at Abernethy Laurels. Chaplain Larry Bolick of Abernethy Laurels and the Rev. Lee Jessup of Lexington, N.C., will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abernethy Laurels’ Sustaining Fund, 100 Leonard Ave., Newton, NC 28658, and The Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845.Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory in Newton.

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