Howard A. Geddis

Howard A. Geddis, 90; Colonel, U.S. Army, retired Howard Alson Geddis, a retired U.S. army colonel, educator and counselor, died Monday (Feb. 25). He was 90. Mr. Geddis was the devoted husband of Louise (Hutchings) Geddis for 62 years. There are two daughters, Lorraine Varney Riggs of Manchester and Linda (Geddis) Broadwater of East Burke, VT. Mr. Geddis enjoyed working on his 100-acre farm, Rockhaven, in Chester, where he was resident for 54 years. In 2000 he and his wife moved to Hillcrest Terrace Retirement Community in Manchester. At his recent 90th birthday party, Mr. Geddis was asked what he held most important in his life. He responded, ''my family.'' Born in Springfield, MA on Feb. 18, 1912, Mr. Geddis was the son of Howard and Marion (Gibbs) Geddis. After the death of his mother, Mr. Geddis moved to NH and graduated from Bristol High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire. Later, he completed a program of counseling courses at Boston University. In 1939, Mr. Geddis started his career teaching agricultural courses at Wayne West Virginia High School. Following World War II until his retirement, he worked as a vocational training specialist and later as a counseling psychologist for the Veterans Administration in Manchester and Boston. Disabled veterans throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts were provided with individualized vocational training through his efforts. After his retirement from the VA, he continued to assist veterans as a counselor at New Hampshire College. In World War II, Mr. Geddis served in the US Army in both the United States and Europe as an artillery instructor. In the Korean War, he again served in the artillery unit, earning the rank of major. He then became responsible for the development of the United Nations Agricultural Project for the Korean People and later attained the rank of colonel. Mr. Geddis was active in many military organizations. He was a founding member of the New Hampshire Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars, in which he served as Adjutant for eight years. He was also a member of the Reserve Officers Association and held the office of historian in the Retired Officers Association. Mr. Geddis was a member of various organizations in the town of Chester and of the Church of the Transfiguration in Derry. In addition to his wife and two daughters, Mr. Geddis is survived by four loving grandchildren, Dean J. Varney of Boston, MA, Alexandra Varney McDonald of Hull, MA and Molly Broadwater Chase and Theodore Ernest Broadwater, both of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Maxwell Howard McDonald of Hull, MA and Maya Rose Chase of Seattle, WA and his sons-in-law, Ernest H. Broadwater of East Burke, VT and W. Paul Riggs of Manchester. Mr. Geddis was predeceased by his sisters Ruth Dubuque and Elizabeth Sullivan, both of Vermont. He is survived by his sisters Dorothy Fairbanks of Massachusetts, Virginia Dobrozensky of Florida and Marion Petroccia of Virginia. A memorial service and reception will be held at 11 a.m. on March 9th at the Church of the Transfiguration, One Hood Rd, Derry. A burial service with military honors will be held at a later date at Great Hill Cemetery, Chester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth St., Concord 03301. Please indicate ''In Memory of Howard A. Geddis.''