Glen "Babe" Emery Ackerman

Born the youngest of 9 children to Louis William and Esther Rose Ackerman on August 6, 1935, Glen Emery “Babe” Ackerman died July 14th at Hanover Terrace Healthcare and Rehab, where he was striving to regain strength and return to his home and family. Babe attended school in Fairlee, graduated from Bradford Academy and joined the work force. He drove truck for a while, working for the Bradford Veneer Mill, and then for Pippen Backhoe, which found him with a TT-unit loaded with tools and parts, and traveling the west coast building backhoes for various brands and sizes of tractors. However, Babe found his true calling in carpentry, and he became a true craftsman. He honed his skills on projects like the Moore and Comerford Dams, and Woodstock Inn, while working for several construction companies including Trumbull-Nelson. In the 1970s Babe was recruited by Dartmouth College to work in the Carpentry Shop, and finished at the College as a Master Locksmith, retiring after more than 20 years there. Everywhere Babe worked he developed deep friendships and became a mentor to those who came in after him. On March 12, 1956 Babe joined the Vermont Army National Guard where he rose to the rank of First Sergeant and served with honor for over 27 years. He continued to serve as Auxilliary, and for 10 years was a member of the Army Reserves. His men knew him as fair, firm and fun, earning their respect and lifelong affection. Babe was one of the longest-serving members of the Vermont Army National Guard. His patriotism was unmatched. September 15, 1956 Babe married his forever love, Nettie DeGoosh, the 10th of 13 children of Howard and Nettie Pushee DeGoosh of Lyme. Together Babe and Net were partners in gardening, construction and renovation, camping, huge gatherings, raising their two children and attending countless school, Scout, sports and 4-H events of their kids’ and grandchildren’s. For years he served on the Scout and Recreation Committees in Fairlee. Babe was also a Justice of the Peace, firefighter, Fire Chief and member of Fairlee’s first FAST Squad. He saved Nettie’s life at age 78 when she experienced a sudden cardiac arrest and he performed CPR until the FAST Squad arrived. Babe was an avid fisherman, hunter, and explorer, cruising innumerable backroads and creating paths in crazy places with his Jeep. He loved playing cards, especially cribbage, and had a perfect hand, just a few months before Nettie had hers. They kept a running tally of who was ahead in their Cribbage games. Babe could fix almost anything, and knew exactly where every tool and bit of hardware were in his amazing workshop. He had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor and laughed easily, especially at himself. He was honest, decent and had a heart of gold. Babe was predeceased by his parents, parents-in-law, sisters Marjorie Chapin, Lois Nemeth, Virginia Sharpe and Shirley Webster, brothers Ransom, Lloyd, Leeds, and Calvin, brothers-in-law Coburn, Richard, Ellsworth, John, Howard, Kent and David DeGoosh, sisters-in-law Ann DeGoosh, Mary Wing, Jane Cramer, and Sue Alexander, his extra-special brother-in-law Joe Cramer, and his beloved Nettie. He is survived by his son, Larry Ackerman of Enfield, daughter and son-in-law Ellen and Jim Putnam of Piermont, grandchildren Glen Emery Putnam and Meredith of Piermont, Evan Paul Putnam and Laura of Falmouth, Maine, Faith Davis Robb Kemp and Joe of Clarendon, VT, his great-grandchildren Ella Jean and Nathaniel James Putnam, Clayton Peter and Dawson Emery Putnam and Kyler James Kemp, his sisters-in-law, Edith Ackerman of Fairlee and Nancy Radtke and Dean of Wellington, Nevada, Rita DeGoosh of Fairlee, Bea DeGoosh of Bradford, many, many wonderful nieces, nephews, and treasured friends. Committal will be at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Babe’s Life will be held at his home, 81 Moses Hill Road in Piermont on Saturday, July 30th at 1:00. All are welcome and encouraged to share a story or two. Firefighters are welcome to wear their Class A uniforms. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to make a donation, the family suggests Fairlee Fire and FAST Squad, or a deserving charity of one’s choice.

Tributes

Glen "Babe" Emery Ackerman

August 6, 1935 - July 14, 2022