Gerald "Jerry" Gunderson

Gerald Olin Gunderson was a man who thought in geological time—in eras and epochs rather than years. Born into a family of educators on New Year’s Day 1942,in a family who valued education, curiosity, and hard work. These values shaped his remarkable life.
The Gunderson kids grew up working on their family’s Christmas tree farm in Waushara County, planting and pruning trees in the chill of spring and selling them in the bitter cold of winter.

Jerry loved nature and science. Growing up in Appleton, he and his friends explored the natural world along the Fox River and in the open fields around the city. There they learned all about pyrotechnics by setting off rockets that they had built themselves. (Later on, his students would appreciate this expertise when “Mr. Gunderson” demonstrated the principles and power of combustion in his science classrooms.)

Jerry began collecting fossils in his early teens with his friend Ron Meyer, and that friendship and collecting collaboration continued until Jerry’s death. Jerry attended UW-Platteville and graduated in 1965 with a degree in general science and an emphasis in Biology. He began teaching math and science before obtaining a Master’s degree from Northern Michigan University. After a rough beginning teaching high-schoolers, he found his niche as a middle-school science teacher. He eventually taught for 30 years at Kromery Middle School in Middleton. Jerry understood that the best way to teach science was to live it. His passion for discovery was infectious, turning countless students into lifelong learners and nature enthusiasts.

Retirement for Jerry was an opportunity to further pursue his hobbies. Along with fossils, Jerry loved the prairies of the upper Midwest. His Middleton yard was a testament to this interest: crowded with native plants and buzzing with insects, it was undeniably the home of a prairie enthusiast. He volunteered his time, vast knowledge, and abundant collection of prairie seeds and plants to establish prairie sites throughout Madison and Dane Co., often working with good friend Rose Ann Scott. In the same way, he enthusiastically shared his knowledge of geology with students and at rock clubs throughout the area.

Jerry was instrumental in two of the most important fossil discoveries of the past 50 years, the “Brandon Bridge Lagerstätte” and the “Big Hill Lagerstätte.” He even had a number of ancient species named for him, including the Cambrian trace fossil Raaschichnus gundersoni.
Among other accolades, Jerry’s dedication to paleontology resulted in his receiving the 1998 Katherine Palmer Award for excellence in the field of paleontology by a non-professional. We don’t meet many people who are as true to themselves as Jerry was. He lived modestly and lightly on the earth, and he gave generously to people, causes, and organizations that mattered to him.

Jerry lived by example, demonstrating that a meaningful life isn’t measured by material accumulation but by the knowledge shared, the discoveries made, and the positive impact on others. He gave generously to the people, causes, and organizations that mattered to him, always choosing to live lightly on the earth while leaving a profound mark through his work.

The scholarships Jerry established continues Jerry’s mission of fostering scientific curiosity , environmental stewardship, and the love for education. These scholarship supports students who share Jerry’s passion. Recipients of this scholarship embody Jerry’s values: intellectual curiosity, dedication to education, environmental consciousness, and a commitment to serving others. Whether they become teachers who inspire the next generation, researchers who make groundbreaking discoveries, or conservationists who protect our natural heritage, these students carry forward Jerry’s remarkable legacy.

Though Jerry passed away in January 2021, these scholarships was created to ensure his legacy lives on through future educators, scientists, and curious minds who share his passion for discovery, his dedication to teaching and learning, and his commitment to caring for our natural world. To help his legacy live on, know the work you put in today could impact the world for generations to come.