The natural environment in all its wonders, marvels, and beauties were the core of Nate Fincks existance since I have known him from the early 1970's onwards.  As an enduring friend, companion, and confidant,  his profound respect, reverance, and unabiding affection for all wildlife, wilderness, and diverse habitats were apparent in almost everything he said, did, and believed.  My association with him during his informative nature studies in the local Metroparks, our trips to parks outside the Cleveland area, and our conversations and readings about man and nature left one indelible impression on me:  that human society and its institutions are deeply imbedded in the natural environment, rather than nature being shaped or fashioned only by human intention or decision.  In other words, nature can prevail without us, but we cannot survive without the support, protection or finite resources of nature.

Nate had imbued me with his naturalistc philosophy early in our friendship and this ethic has always inspired and encouraged me as I navigate my often confusing  adult and senior years of bewildering experiences.

May I close this appreciation with the following words of remembrance taken from the Sabbath celebration booklet of the Jewish Secular Community of Greater Cleveland:

At the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember him.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember him.

At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember him.

At the shining of the sun and in the warmth of summer, we remember him.

At the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember him.

At the beginning of the year and at its end, we remember him.

When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember him.

When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember him.

When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember him.

When we have  achievements that are based on his, we remember him.

And his goodness, kindness, caring, and sharing will always enrich our memories.

As long as we live, he too shall live.

For he was a part of us, and we remember him.


Although Nathan has gone after serving a remarkable and exceptional life, he will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved him!

Gilbert Winer,  Shaker Heights, Ohio

Nate leaves many fond memories here in Geauga County as Geauga Park District's first full-time naturalist from autumn, 1979 until his retirement in 1985 with his walks and talks for school groups, garden clubs and the public. Nate wrote and edited GPD's newsletter The Green Diamond with editions that provided fine articles on wildlife, flora, geology and Geauga's interurban railway. In 2011, Nate's nephew and executor Richard donated, on Nate's behalf, a collection of color slides that historically document natural features and park facilities during some of GPD's earlier decades.
 
Until his health failed in recent years, Nate was a fixture at naturalist gatherings, natural history lectures and other events involving nature and music, as Nate was a fine pianist who informally entertained park patrons and formally so at recitals given to patrons of the arts. He will be missed by many.

Nate, 
 A dear, and close friend that we will miss always. So full of life and laughter. Good to everyone. We learned so much from him about nature over the years we knew each other. My wife and I will never forget you.

Nick, Sam, & Beverly Fischbach

Nathan was my dearest friend for the past 40 some years.  I loved him dearly and I know the feeling was mutual.  I visited Nathan a month before his passing. He loved life and nature immensely.  We started the volunteer program together, years ago, at North Chagrin.  
I will miss listening to him playing his wonderful piano at his apartment in Chagrin Falls.  He will never be replaced in my life. I will miss you Nathan and I love you with all my heart.    
Wanda Leigh

I had Mr. Finck for a Science teacher in the 6th grade at Kenston.  He taught us all about the "weather" with hands on experiments and I have continued my interests in Nature and the weather ever since. I knew he later was a naturalist for the park service.  He had a paddle for the unruly which he let you sign after being paddled.  Everyone tried eventually to get paddled in order to sign that paddle!! He was a great teacher and a great man.  It will be hard to fill those shoes.  God bless and his family must know he still walks among us!!

Nate will always be dear to my heart!  I had accepted a naturalist position at Project P.LE.A.S.E. with the Willoughby-Eastlake Schools and the Holden Arboretum.  Nate volunteered to show me the North Chagrin Park System and other park sites in the area since I was a newcomer to Ohio.  On that fortunate drive in 1968, I not only met a life-long, charming friend.......but, unexpectedly, my future husband, Bob, at a gas station stop.  Life is full of surprises! 
     Ensuing years brought many adventures together with Nate.  Over my long tenure as a science teacher in the Shaker Heights area, I enlisted Nate to guide many exciting programs for my students.  He was always willing to meet the classes at various natural area locations in Geauga, Lake, and Cuyahoga counties .  His breadth of knowledge on the intimate details of nature captured the students' imagination and attention.  Kneeling by a log, he introduced them to invertebrates, fungi,  and the concept of forest regeneration.  He delighted in finding a deer mouse hiding in a bluebird box or pointing out the curved tail of a small mammal in the snow.  Fall leaf-collecting walks, bird identification hikes, plant succession studies, winter adaptations of wildlife were all his topics to share with the next generation of young naturalists.  When in the outdoors, Nate was a gentle spirit listening to its sounds, inhaling its aromas, moving quietly as if in God's synagogue .
     His other favorite haunt was Dinks in Chagrin Falls where the three of us shared many special meals and great conversation over the years.  Blueberry pancakes were a must!
     Always one with a "twinkle in his eye", Nate relished his mentoring role.  More than once, we were surprised to meet him on a nature trail accompanied by a young female naturalist.....stumbling upon him enjoying the sunset at the Mentor Headlands beach with a female friend......or while attending a science lecture,  to find him seated by another friendly admirer.  My husband always joked with him that I was the "one who got away" so long ago!
     We were fortunate to see each other on the day before he passed to reminisce  on his family, past travel
 adventures, and life's experiences.  Nate, always  the philosopher, consoler, and dear friend said quietly that he was ready for peace.

Nate liked gentle things; the details of seasonal changes in the forest, the clear compositions of Chopin, and non-flowery poetry about nature. He always said people should get outside more.  His quiet passion for natural history in the regional parks was contagious.  It was a privilege and great joy to learn from him.  

My deepest condolences to Nate's family and friends.

Northeast Ohio was very fortunate to have a person like Nathan.  He truly loved the natural world.  He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and love of it with others as a school teacher, interpretive naturalist, and friend.  

He was a very dear friend to those of us who were fortunate enough to know him personally.

Nate's tenure with Geauga Park District, although 3 decades ago, is fondly remembered by former employees and long-time time park volunteers.  From all of us at Geauga Park District, our most sincere condolences to Nate's family and many friends.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of Nate. We are sorry for your loss and the loss of a great naturalist. Rest in Peace Nate. From your friends at the North Chagrin Nature Center.

To the Family and Friends of Nate. Please except our sincere condolences during this time of sorrow.
The Staff at the North Chagrin Nature Center

We went on many nature walks with Nate and we learned a lot from him about the natural world. Through his influence our oldest daughter became an NPS ranger leading nature walks as Nate led them. We now volunteer at North Chagrin reservation where Nate led many of his hikes.
                                            Bill and Thelma Pierce

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Nathan Finck

30 décembre 1925 – 26 décembre 2012

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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