The Life of Mr. Eugene S. Suereth
Eugene S. “Herb” Suereth, 87, died Monday evening December 22, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alyce M. (Stallsmith) Suereth; his two sons, Dirk Suereth of Lancaster, and Luke Suereth of York; three grandchildren, Bryan Suereth, Abigail Eby, and John Canevari; and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Cole Eby. Eugene was pre-deceased by daughter Lori Jo Canevari, granddaughter Katherine Canevari and brothers Herbert and Sherwood Suereth.
Eugene was born in York to the late Herbert Suereth and Mary Schleeter Suereth. He graduated from North York High School in 1945 where he was awarded Letters in soccer, basketball, baseball, and track. Notably in 1945 he was the District 3, 100 yard dash champion.
Following high school he was drafted into the army serving in Germany at the end of WWII. Upon returning from military service he signed a professional baseball contract to play for the St. Louis Browns minor league team in Ohio. In 1947 he returned to Pennsylvania to attend Lock Haven State College where he lettered in soccer and baseball. He continued to stay actively involved in baseball playing in the York County Central League until 1958.
Following his graduation from college in 1951, Herb returned to York County to begin a teaching career which lasted 36 years. He started in a one room school house in Maytown where he taught grades 1 thru 8. In 1954 he took a teaching position at Central H.S. teaching health and physical education. During his tenure at Central H.S., Herb earned a Masters of Education degree from Temple University, coached varsity basketball for seven years earning one county championship and two trips to the district 3 playoffs, and finally served as athletic director for 25 years.
In retirement, Herb enjoyed golf, playing in several area leagues, travel, playing tournament bridge, dancing with his wife Alyce as members of the Phoenix Dance Club, bowling, and cross country skiing. He also served on the Manchester Township recreation commission for 20 years. Herb was a lifelong member of St. Peters Lutheran Church, a member of the Shiloh American Legion, and the Central York County Baseball League Old-timers Association where he was inducted into the hall of fame in 2007.
A private grave-side service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Eugene Suereth to St. Peters Lutheran Church, 947 N. George St. York, PA 17404. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd., York is in chargeof arrangements.