Obituary of Alfred W. Sommer

Alfred W. Sommer, 95, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2021, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, PA. Al was born December 16, 1925, in the beautiful valley town of Adams in western Massachusetts to Anton and Olga (Wurtzer) Sommer, both from Austria. A first-generation American, he was raised in a large family and learned responsibility at a young age. Legend has it that the day he turned 17, Al enlisted in the Navy and then went home to tell his mother. Within a year, he was at the Naval Training Center in Sampson, NY, followed by training in Bainbridge, MD, and San Diego, CA, to be a radioman. He served aboard the USS Eldorado and was honorably discharged on May 19, 1946, receiving the World War II Victory medal, the American Theatre medal, the Philippine-Liberation medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre ribbon with two stars, one each for Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Al graduated from the North Adams State Teachers College in 1953 with a B.S. in Education and moved to Greenfield, MA, where he taught fifth and sixth grade at the Abercrombie, North Parish, Davis Street, and Green River schools. In 1961, he became principal at Green River and, pursuing further learning, received a master's degree in education in 1966. He was named director of the district's Title I program that year, and in 1968 became director of its state and federal assistance programs. For next 20 years, he worked happily as principal at the North Paris, Newton Street, Davis Street, and Green River schools, retiring in 1989. Among his interests was travel. He and his wife Bea went to Australia (World Expo '88 in Brisbane) and New Zealand, as well as across Canada and into the Maritime Provinces. They made trips to England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, and Hungary, and traveled the U.S. from coast to coast, visiting historic sites and testing their skills on different golf courses. Once retired, Al taught himself woodworking. He enjoyed puttering in his workshop, making furniture, whirligigs, cutting boards, and toys for his grandchildren. He enjoyed reading, especially biographies, and he spent many happy hours working away in his tomato garden. He was also a merciless poker player, which certain family members secretly found hilarious. In 2017, Al and Bea moved from their much-loved home in Greenfield to State College. Leaving the familiarity of western Massachusetts was a challenge Al, then nearly 92, met with a cheerful calmness. He enjoyed strolling through neighborhoods around his new home, and he had kind words for those he met along the way. He will be truly missed by friends in both Greenfield and State College. Al is survived by his wife, Beatrice Doyle Sommer, of State College; daughters Donna Gleason (Ronald) of Greenfield, and Gail Ann Sommer of Clearlake, CA; and four loving stepchildren and their families: Jeanne Marie Alexander (David Nettles) of State College, Stephen C. Alexander (Sally) of Gettysburg, PA, Peter J. Alexander (Janet Callahan) of Bethesda, MD, and David C. Alexander (Steven Riley) of Wells, ME. He leaves nine grandchildren: Ronnie Gleason, Bethann Sliwa, Adam Gleason, Brad Alexander, Sophia Drago Williams, Austin Alexander, Eva Drago, Christian Alexander, and Thomas Alexander; and ten great-grandchildren: Carrigan, Brennan, and Arya Gleason, Lincoln, George, and Kennedy Sliwa, Benson and Elijah Alexander, and Rhys and Rory Williams. He is survived by a sister, Olga Kennedy, in Kent, CT, and a brother, Donald, in Adams, MA. He was predeceased by his siblings Emily, Anthony, Elizabeth, and Dorothy. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home in State College. Online condolences and guest book notes may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com. A private memorial service was held Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Our Lady of Victory in State College. Burial will be in Greenfield at a later date. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center for their care and kindness to both Al and Bea.