In Memorium

Herbie Geiler 1946-2009

It is with great regret that we announce that our Webmaster, Herbie Geiler passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 2, 2009.

Herbie was born in Franklin, N.H. on May 20, 1946, the son of Herbert and Hilda (Mayor) Geiler. He received his education at Franklin High School and Plymouth State College, and went on to teach others much through his life. He was a committed Christian, and active in Community Baptist Church in Rochester, NH. He was also a member of Meridian Lodge 60 F. & A.M., and the Somersworth Historic District Commission (which he chaired).

He worked for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections at the State Prison in Concord for 20 years before his retirement. After that, he worked for Computer Resources in Barrington, NH, filling many roles, including Customer Support. When questioned about his role there, the personnel manager responded that Herbie did whatever he was asked, without questioning why.

At the Old Berwick Historical Society and the Chadbourne Family Association,where he served on the boards of directors, he had the same reputation. He served with the  Strafford County Republican Committee a in a variety of Republican campaigns for local, state, and federal office.

Almost immediately after joining the CFA, he became involved in various capacities.  During reunions, for example, he could be seen sitting at his laptop, helping members and other attendees with the newly released CD or with their family history, checking in his vast database of surnames.

A valuable leader in the CFA, he was not only the Webmaster who served as a hub for all communications, he was a primary genealogist for the Goodwin family lines.  In that regard, he’d often spend his vacation time traveling the state to visit cemeteries to record the related information there.

In his willingness to help in many aspects, he served at various times as President of the CFA, as maintainer of the mailing list, and as assistant treasurer.  He was also quick to respond to email queries and questions regarding Chadbourne ancestry.

Herbie was a vital link as well as a dear friend to the CFA.  Although his wife Carolyn was the cousin to us all, you’d never have known it by the diligence of his work for the association.

Herbie was predeceased by a sister, Janet, and is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his mother, Hilda Geiler of Franklin; daughter, Elizabeth Guyer of Bristol; sister, Linda Pauwels of Tilton; stepdaughter, Holly (Brown) Nenna of Waterford, Conn.; stepson and daughter-in-law, Sheridan and Debra Brown of Concord; two nieces, and four grandnieces.

Donations may be made in Herbie's memory to: Old Berwick Historical Society, P.O. Box 296, South Berwick, ME 03908.