Blaine James Gerdes 62 COLUMBUS - Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman for Blaine James Gerdes 62, who passed away on Saturday Oct. 3, at the Hospice House in Poland. Blaine was born on March 24, 1953, in Youngstown, to the late June Sterling Gerdes and George Hayden Gerdes. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Wickiser Gerdes and " his girls" Blaine Sterling and Grady June Gerdes of Worthington. Blaine graduated from Cardinal Mooney in 1971 and attended Ohio State and graduated from Youngstown State University in 1976, where he was affiliated with Alpha Phi Delta, Beta Omicron Chapter. He received a Masters Degree in Sports Administration and Business at Biscayne College in Miami, Fla. He is survived also by brother Hayden "Butch" Gerdes of Youngstown; sister -in-law Kathy Gerdes of Cleveland; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lorei and Richard Lees Westerville; brother-in-law Randy Wickiser of Johnstown; cousin, Susan Bouffard of Florida; nieces and nephews, Lisa Gerdes, Jennifer Gerdes, Robert Gerdes and Jacob Wickiser. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Robert Sterling Gerdes. In 1983, Blaine was hired by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation to administer the renovation program of Ohio State parks. In 1984 he moved to the Division of Outdoor Recreation Services where he served as Ohio State Trails Administrator. He advanced in 1985 to become the administrator of Ohio Canal Land's Real Estate program. Blaine served on the board of what would soon become the fourth National Corridor, from Cleveland to Zoar, which is 65 miles long. This program is still in existence today and is a viable resource for Ohioans to enjoy recreational activities. Subsequently, he was asked to serve as field operations coordinator for the civilian conservation corps. This is a training program for young adults to become more marketable. During this time, he assisted in the building of boardwalks in the Cascade Locks on the Ohio and Erie Canal to improve handicap accessibility so Ohioans could enjoy historical sites that would not ordinarily be available. Blaine and his staff, built trails, fire rings and grilles in Ohio's 72 parks. He oversaw the construction and development of a thirty acre wetland site in Hamilton County, called Miami Whitewater Forest. In 1995 he developed the first electronic newsletter used by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in the division of Soil and Water. He assumed the additional responsibilities of development and coordination of master plans for each of Ohio's canal feeder lakes to study point source and non-point source pollution. He was also named to oversee the farm science review (the Largest agricultural event in the State of Ohio). Located in Madison County. it was here that he developed new trails, a stage, and developed a Walk of Fame which recognizes Ohio's top five farm families who are honored and recognized for having the best practices for water, soil and animal health. He expanded his knowledge by assuming environmental review for the Division of Soil and Water Resources to assist them in determining appropriate mitigation for negative impacts to wetlands, streams and soil that are proposed during the development of a specific land site. Blaine coordinated with various state agencies to secure funds for lowhead dam review throughout the state. In his most recent position, he oversaw the registration and processing of all applications for fracking and the withdrawal of water in Ohio, and maintained records of water use on an annual basis. During his 32 year professional career with the State of Ohio, Blaine improved the environment, parks, nature trails and working relationships with farm families throughout the state. In appreciation of Blain's service and commitment to the State, the ODNA dedicated the Spring Maple Grove at Farm Science Review in his memory. Working wasn't Blaine's only strength, golf, football, basketball, baseball, tennis and most all sports, he had a serious interest in. He even turned shopping with his girls into a sport. Blaine began golfing at the age of 9, playing his first full round at Mill Creek Golf Course. He plated his last round of golf at the age of 62 at Mill Creek in September of this year. Blaine's wife and family would like to thank the staff of Kobacker House in Columbus and the Hospice House in Poland, for their compassion and care during his need of care. A special appreciation is extended to his co-workers, his life long hometown friends, his golf buddies in Youngstown and Columbus and his fraternity brothers at Alpha Phi Delta, Beta Omicron Chapter. There was a constant mutual expression of love from all involved in knowing and cherishing Blaine's life. Friends may call from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman.