IN MEMORIAM
Kim M. Gohde, 64, Middlefield;
‘Chief’ Stricken Working At Fair
MIDDLEFIELD – Kim M. Gohde, 64, of Gatley Road, Town of Middlefield, a carpenter and former Middlefield fire chief, died unexpectedly Monday, Aug. 1, 2016.
He suffered a heart attack at the Otsego County Fair, where he was volunteering, as he had for hundreds of hours over many years.
Born June 5, 1952, at Bassett Hospital, Kim was the son of Earl and Dorothy (Butler) Gohde of Middlefield. He grew up on the family farm, attended school in Cherry Valley, and was a life-long Middlefield area resident.
Kim enlisted in the Army and served on active duty and in the National Guard from 1974 to 1978. On Feb. 16, 1974 he married his life-long love, Kathryn Thayer.
A “born tinkerer,” he loved to work with his hands and mind. When not operating the family farm he worked as a general contractor both for others and on his own. He enjoyed working with wood and was often employed because of his skill as a carpenter/wood worker.
Kim was always helping others. He was a long time member and former chief of the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department, where he spent countless volunteer hours. Indeed he was known by most of his friends simply as “chief.” At the time of his death he was serving as first assistant chief.
In addition to volunteering at the county fair, he was also a member, and volunteered his skills for, the National Arbor Day Association, the Middlefield Cemetery Association and the Middlefield Historical Association. In his “spare time” he enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams, the New York Knicks and the Yankees, deer hunting and simply talking with his many friends.
In addition to his wife Kathryn, he is survived by four sons, Michael S. Thayer and his son, Jeremiah of Richmond, Va.; Todd P. Gohde (Michele Cleary) and their son Jaxson of Cherry Valley; Gregory Gohde of Westford; and Charles Gohde of Middlefield. Also, his brothers, Richard (Laura) Gohde of Milford and Doug (Anne) Gohde of Schenevus; his sister Linda (Richard) Nitz of Troy, and his brother-in-law Thomas Thayer (Gail) of Milford, as well as by many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his parents and sister-in-law, Nancy Darling.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Middlefield Cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, with the Rev. Ronald Fralick, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Cherry Valley, officiating. A reception at the Middlefield Fire Station will follow.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be sent in Kim’s memory in care of his wife, Kathy Gohde, 147 Gatley Road, Schenevus, NY 12155 for application to the groups and organizations Kim loved.
Arrangements are under the care of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.