Kermit Lamar Updegrove, Jr.

Kermit Lamar Updegrove Jr. Age 82, of Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2024. Born in Lykens, Pennsylvania, Kermit was the beloved son of the late Kermit and Mary (Lebo) Updegrove and the devoted husband of the late Linda (Weekly) Updegrove.

Kermit, also known as “Spike”, had a passion for education and dedicated 36 years to teaching Biology – 24 years at C. Milton Wright High School and 12 years at Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Maryland. Alongside his teaching career, he also coached High School softball and was proud to have won five State Championships in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, and 2016. Throughout his teaching and coaching career, he positively impacted the lives of many students and athletes and was the recipient of many awards, including the C. Milton Wright Sports Hall of Fame, Harford County Educator Hall of Fame, and Environmental Educator of the Year.

An avid bird watcher, Kermit found joy and peace in nature. He was a proud member of the Harford Bird Club, a chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, where he shared his love for birds with fellow enthusiasts. Whether he was in Maryland or Florida, he could always be found with a pair of binoculars and was proud to have seen over 725 birds in his bird watching career.

Kermit's legacy of kindness, curiosity, occasional mischief, and dedication to both teaching and nature will live on in the hearts of all who knew him – and many of his most humorous stories were captured in his autobiographical book titled “Confessions of a High School Biology Teacher and Bird Watcher”.

Kermit is survived by his daughter, Erin Lynn Brouillard and her spouse Jake of Naples, FL; son, Joseph Paul Updegrove and his spouse Sandra of New York, NY; grandchildren, Jack and Luke Updegrove and Madisyn, Jakoby, and Jaelyn Brouillard.

In addition to his wife and parents, Kermit was preceded in death by brother, Brad Updegrove, and sister, Marilyn Buppelman.

Contributions may be made to The Maryland Ornithological Society c/o MOS Treasurer 11925 Oden Ct., Rockville, MD 20852