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A Department of Beaufort County Government
Local historian Gerhard Spieler died July 14th. Age had slowed his body, but not his curiosity. I always enjoyed our conversations about the people, places, and themes of our local history when he dropped by the BDC. When the Beaufort Gazette quit publishing his long-running local history column, groans of disappointed readers were heard throughout the county.
A supporter of the library's special collection and archives from practically Day One, Mr. Spieler gave the BDC a topical index to his many local history articles in the Beaufort Gazette newspaper and other publications a number of years ago. Most recently he gave the BDC a copy of some papers he presented at various heritage societies meetings. A few years ago, Mr. Spieler and his lovely wife Ruth did a "standing room only" BDC@ The Branches program for us. You can read all his articles on newspaper microfilm. Copies of his book, Beaufort, South Carolina: Pages from the Past are in the "Forever Collection" and in our local history sections under call number 975.799 SPI.
The Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette ran an article about his life on Mon., July 16th. Read it at http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/07/16/2136401/gerhard-spieler-lowcountr... [1].
His legacy will endure. Requiescat in pace, dear sir.
Links:
[1] http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/07/16/2136401/gerhard-spieler-lowcountry-historian.html