Gene Stearns

Gene F. Stearns, 82, of Northwood died on August 31,2016, at Concord Hospital after repeated bouts of pneumonia and complications.

Born to George and Margaret Oakes on July 21, 1934, in Waterville, Maine. He was raised by Edwin and Margaret Stearns. In 1953 he was graduated from Clinton (ME) High School where he participated in basketball and baseball. He continued his love of those sports throughout his life. Another love of his was reading. After retirement he read almost a book a day. He was grateful to Chesley Memorial Library for their continuous supply of his favorite authors.

After high school graduation he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in an intelligence unit. Following serving his country, he attended Plymouth State College (now Plymouth State University) where he met his wife, Roberta Wallace Stearns. They were married for 55 years. His first professional position was being teacher-principal at Canterbury Elementary School. He later became principal of Gilford Elementary School while earning his master's degree from the University of New Hampshire.

In 1970 he earned his doctorate in school administration at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Before returning East, he taught at Northern Illinois University and Western Michigan University. After returning to New England, he was an administrator at Framingham (MA) State College (now Framingham State University). and Southern Maine University. Later he served as superintendent of Schools in New Sweden, Woodland, and Stockholm, Maine. He spent a year as principal of Tripp Junior High in Turner, Maine, before becoming president of Casco Bay College in Portand for 15 years.

Stearns is survived by his wife Roberta , a sister Marie Jenkins of Concord, sister-in law, Margaret P Wallace of West Roxbury, Massachusetts and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister Gertrude Goodwin Lawlor of Virginia Beach, Virginia; George Stearns of Canaan, Maine; Virgil Stearns of Fairfield, Maine; Merritt Oakes of Penacook, New Hampshire; parents-in law, Frank and Frances Wallace of Northwood.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 3, at 1 at the Northwood Advent Christian Church, 113 School Street and will be officiated by The Reverend Donald Plummer. Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 6-8 at 9 Old Pittsfield Road in Northwood on Friday,
September 2.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund at Northwood Advent Christian Church (PO Box 115, Northwood, NH 03261 or the girls' and boys' basketball programs at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy (907 First NH Turnpike, Northwood, NH 03261).