George D Gates

Dr. George D. Gates, 72, of Roby Road, Huntington, WV, formerly of Pocatello, Idaho died Wednesday, May 30, 2007 in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, near Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Born in Reading, PA he was a son of the late George W. and Mildred R. (Dubson) Gates. He was a 1952 graduate of Reading High School, Reading, PA. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service and International Affairs from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., in 1960. He received a Master of Arts degree in History from California State University - San Jose, in 1969. He received his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, in 1977. While working on his doctorate studies, Gates worked as coordinator of Secondary Clinical Programs from 1973 to 1977 at University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was responsible for the placement of student teachers and interns for their clinical experience leading to teacher certification. From 1971 to 1976 he was an instructor at Madison Area Technical College, Madison, Wisconsin, where he developed and taught private, commercial, and instrument pilot ground school courses. From 1970 to 1973 he taught social studies at James Madison Memorial High School, Madison, Wisconsin. 1969-1970 he was an instructor at Menlo College, Menlo Park, Calif., where he taught Western Civilization; developed and taught a study skills course and an aviation private pilot curriculum. He also taught social studies and other courses at Menlo School, Menlo Park, Calif., from 1965-1970.

Gates worked from 1956 to 1958 as a Legislative Research Assistant to Senator Hubert H. Humphrey and Senator Kenneth B. Keating, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. George D. Gates honorably served his country with the United State Navy during the Korean Conflict, where he served with Naval Intelligence. Dr. Gates was Chairman of the Board of Directors, Pocatello (Idaho) Airport Commission. He received a Congressional Record Commendation for his dedicated efforts to improve the civic education of students in Idaho as state coordinator for the “We the People… Bicentennial Programs on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.” In 1991 he received a certificate of appreciation from The Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the United States, as chairman of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United State Constitution for his work on the above mentioned project. Dr. Gates traveled to Moscow and the Urals region of Russia numerous times and coordinated exchange programs between Idaho State University and Chelyabinsk, Russia. He spent over two years in Russia teaching English to Russian teachers of English at several major universities. In December 1999, Dr. Gates established the Gates Minority and International Student Endowment to provide scholarships for minority and international students majoring in education

He is survived by Daughter, Kimberly S. (Gates) wife of Duane M. Steinbrecher, Huntington, WV; Sister, Elaine Gates, New Holland, Lancaster County, PA. There are also 5 Grandchildren, Amy N. (Gates) wife of Zachary Brown, Kristen M. (Sheid) wife of Nathan Triplett, Elizabeth J. Scheid, Daniel R. Lambert, and Benjamin D. Lambert. In addition there is a Great Granddaughter, Haley G. Triplett. He was predeceased by a very special aunt, Myra Neola Klock.

Memorial Services to be announced. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.