December 9, 1957 To Members of the Faculty: We were saddened early this morning, December 9, 1957, when the report came to this office that Dr. Waldemar Gjerde, Associate Professor and Specialist in Audio-Visual Education, had collapsed and died while on duty in Sabin Hall. Dr. Gjerde was a highly capable and respected member of our staff; his death is a very real loss to the college community. He had served faithfully and efficiently since 1945 when he first became a member of the staff of the Department of Teaching. In 1948 he was assigned as specialist in audio-visual aids in the Curriculum Laboratory. Dr. Gjerde had received the B. A. degree from Augsburg College in 1930, the M. A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1941, and the doctorate in 1955 from the State University of Iowa. He is survived by Mrs. Gjerde, a daughter, and two sons. Funeral arrangements are not yet complete but the Nelson Funeral Home will be in charge and the local newspaper will, no doubt, carry the details of the funeral service. The family requests no flowers and prefers that contributions instead be made to the Heart Fund. These contributions may be left at the Nelson Funeral Home. Any member of the staff who wishes to attend the service may do so by making arrangements with his administrative head. The flag will be carried at half mast today and during the half day when the funeral occurs. The Campanile will be played during the funeral service in respect to the memory of Dr. Gjerde. Sincerely yours, J. W. Maucker President. 2. Mr. Bernhard read the following statement and moved that it be recorded in the Faculty minutes and that copies be sent to the Gjerde family. The motion was seconded and passed. Dr. Waldemar Gjerde Dr. Waldemar Gjerde, who for the past twelve years served the Iowa State Teachers College and the people of Iowa, passed away on Monday morning, December 9, 1957, while on duty at the college. He is survived by his wife; two sons, David and Jon; and a daughter, Mrs. Carol Gauger. Dr. Gjerde was born September 27, 1906, in Tacoma, Washington. He was graduated from the Waubay, South Dakota High School in 1926; from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, in 1930; and received his M. A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1941. During the school year 1954-55, he was granted a leave of absence from Iowa State Teachers College to work on his Ph. D. degree. He received this degree at the University of Iowa in 1955. Dr. Gjerde was a teacher of science and mathematics in the St. Clair, Minnesota High School from 1930 through 1935 and was superintendent of the St. Clair schools from 1935 to 1945. He came to our campus as instructor in the Department of Teaching in the fall of 1945, serving in this capacity for three years. For the past nine years he served as audiovisual specialist on this campus and was associate professor at the time of his death. Other college responsibilities included a directorship of the branch summer school at Denison; member of the Faculty Senate from 1947 to 1952; president of the local Iowa State Education Association, 1948-49; and vice-president of the Faculty Men's Club, 1951-52. Recently he had been serving as chairman of the Credit Committee of the ISTC Credit Union. Dr. Gjerde's professional influence and work extended to many places beyond the campus. At the time of his death he was president of the Audio-Visual Education Association of Iowa. He was also a member of the production committee of the State Department of Public Instruction and in this capacity helped to write the Iowa Audio-Visual Handbook, Atomic Energy Handbook for Elementary Schools, and the general science course of study. For the past several years he was a column editor for Midland Schools and, in addition, authored numerous magazine articles in his special field. Dr. Gjerde's interest in civic affairs found him serving as chairman of a Cub Scout committee and also as assistant superintendent of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church Sunday School. He was also an active member of the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club. Dr. Gjerde will be remembered by all for his warm-hearted willingness to help others without thought of reward. By nature he was patient, considerate, and understanding, Students as well as his colleagues knew that they could take to him any problem--large or small--and it would be given kindly attention. He was a highly competent scholar, a master teacher, a well-loved colleague, and a gentleman of the first order. Harold Bernhard Daryl Pendergraft Guy Wagner
