Frank Nicholas "Coach" Surmeyer

Frank N. “Coach” Surmeyer, 90, of Warrenton, died Friday, March 11, 2011, in Seaside.

He was born Feb. 18, 1921, in Woodburn, to Herman and Catherine (Wendell) Surmeyer.

He graduated from Oregon State University.

He married Catherine “Katie” Surmeyer. She preceded him in death. The couple met at OSU, and he proposed under the Trysting Tree, near the campus, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They were married for 57 years.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard, when it was part of the U.S. Navy, as a chief boatswain’s mate.

Mr. Surmeyer was a teacher and coach, among other talents and interests. His teaching career focused mainly on agriculture. He taught at Estacada Union High School, George Washington High School in Agana, Guam, and Gresham Union and Sam Barlow high schools in Gresham.

An adviser for the Future Farmers of America for 32 years, he also created and taught classes for the Peace Corps for two years.

Family member said he loved and attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Seaside. He only missed Mass when health prevented him from attending.

He is survived by eight children, Maureen Boggs and Richard Surmeyer of Warrenton, Marguerite Harris and her husband, Terry, and Joseph Surmeyer and his wife, Jody, all of Gearhart, Patricia Knox and her husband, Carter, of Sandy, Susanna Clay and her husband, Mike, of Portland, Michael Surmeyer and his wife, Julie, of Prosser, Wash., and Jeannie Rossos and her husband, Dan; 19 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Surmeyer; a brother, Alphonse “Al” Surmeyer; a sister, Rita Winnepennix; and a great-grandson, Tyler Harris.

A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 576 12th St.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 120 Ocean Way in Seaside.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com