George Garrison Maher, Jr.

George G. Maher, Jr.

George Garrison Maher, Jr., 73, passed away in Fargo on May 14, 2017.

On August 26, 1943, George was born to George G. Maher, Sr., and Harriet Bower Maher in Paducah, Kentucky. After living in Fargo and Columbus, Ohio, while George Sr. pursued graduate and post-graduate degrees in Chemistry, the Maher family settled in Clinton, Iowa, where George Jr. graduated from high school in 1961. George spoke proudly of his paper route, delivering the Des Moines Sunday Register, during his high school years in Clinton. He had fond memories of sailing on the Mississippi River in the family’s home-built sailboat. The Maher family spent many summer vacations driving north and enjoying the Maher family cottage on Pelican Lake.

George began his lifelong educational career in 1961 when he enrolled in his father’s alma mater, North Dakota State University then North Dakota Agricultural College. He graduated in 1966 from the College of Agriculture with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, with an emphasis on Livestock Nutrition. George returned to NDSU in 1968 to study Agricultural Education and received a Lifetime Teaching Certificate as a Vocational Agriculture instructor. A devoted teacher, George taught at high schools in Buffalo, ND, Lakota, ND, and Gonvick, MN. During his years at Lakota, George designed and built entirely by himself, from foundation to shingles, including wiring, plumbing, etc. a three-bedroom home. He often spoke of the flying lessons he took at the Lakota Airport from Bernard Doyle.

In 1983, George returned to NDSU to pursue a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Mechanization, culminating in the invention of a grain-sampling device and the M.S. Thesis, “A Sampling Tool for the End-Gate Sampling of Grain.” In 1990, George accepted employment at NDSU, serving as Farm Safety Specialist with the NDSU Extension Service. This entailed traveling throughout North Dakota teaching tractor safety schools and devising and presenting farm safety programs and demonstrations on such topics as power take-off, grain-bin, and pesticide safety. George prepared press releases and articles on a variety of safety issues. He was also the Agrability agent for the state, which involved assisting disabled farmers and farm workers adapt to their work. The amateur photographer delighted in capturing the beautiful and varied North Dakota landscapes!

In 1997, George married Kathleen Murphy Nylander and became the beloved stepfather to three sons.

After retiring from NDSU in 2005, George embarked on another career—substitute teaching in the West Fargo Public Schools. He also served as an expert witness on a number of ag-related court cases.

George was an avid outdoorsman, who loved nature, wildlife, camping, and canoeing. He was also a train enthusiast and modeler, with a particular interest in the Great Northern. He was an expert woodworker, crafting, among other things, a fishing boat, fish house, dressers, desks, bookcases, bird houses, piano bench, cradles, stairs, and coffee and end tables.

George always found time for the kids and grandkids, sharing his knowledge and expertise on projects and activities, taking advantage of the teachable moments. He put his scientific mind to work designing ways to execute tasks more efficiently. He never left a mechanical problem unsolved!

George is survived by his wife, Kathleen; stepsons, Aaron Nylander, Ogema, MN, Adam Nylander, Moorhead, MN, and Andrew Jami Nylander, Fargo, ND; step-grandchildren, Collin, Cameron, and Mea Nylander, Fargo, ND; mother, Harriet Bower Maher, Dunlap, IL; sisters, Patricia Toby Flint, Ponchatoula, LA, Kathleen Dwayne Hanson, Bettendorf, Iowa, and Priscilla Tim Kluge, Rochester, IL; brother, Harry Karen Maher, Elk River, MN; sister-in-law, Maureen Murphy, Sartell, MN; nieces, Jenny Flint, Kil, Sweden, Cassie Hanson, St. Paul, MN, Amanda Iain Hanson-Whitehead, Freising, Germany, Elisabeth Kluge, Springfield, IL, and Hannah Maher, Elk River; nephews, Mathew Kluge, Rochester, IL, and Jonas Maher, Elk River, MN; grand-niece twins, Rachel and Clara Whitehead; and grand nephews, Joshua Flint-Wandel and George Hanson.

George was preceded in death by his father, Dr. George G. Maher, Sr.