Gary W. Nahrstedt, 77, of Lenexa, died December 21 at Sweet Life-Shawnee of Alzheimer’s Disease. Gary was born September 11, 1936, in Buffalo, NY, the only child of Gerhard and Gretchen Nahrstedt. Gary earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Florida State University and a Master and Doctorate of Education at Auburn University. He taught junior high school science for three years in Panama City, FL, and was a Professor of Science Education for 36 years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He was an active member of Leawood Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and taught Bible Study classes. He also was a member of Sigma Chi social fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honorary societies. He was Chairman of Judges for many years for the Greater Kansas City Science Fair. He was a volunteer with the American Red Cross Disaster Services for almost nine years and at Overland Park Regional Medical Center for four years. Gary loved teaching, his family, friends, cats, his church and his many hobbies, especially photography, antique pocket knife collecting and travel. The only state he never visited was North Dakota. He traveled in Great Britain, Scandinavia, China, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Central America, Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen; two sons, Mike Nahrstedt (Candy) of St. Peters, MO, and Steve Nahrstedt of Lenexa; grandson Matt and granddaughter Nicole of St. Peters; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Dee McLain of Sarasota, FL. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Sweet Life-Shawnee and Gentiva Hospice for the tender loving care given to Gary.

Celebration of Life Service

A celebration of Gary’s life will be on January 11, 2014, at Leawood Baptist Church, 8200 State Line Rd., Leawood, KS 66204. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Mike McKinney will officiate. Cremation.

Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Leawood Baptist Church in memory of Gary or the Kansas City area Alzheimer’s Disease Chapter, 3846 W. 75 St., Prairie Village, KS 66208.