Gary L. Summers

Gary Lee Summers, 61, of Smyrna, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2013, in Atlanta. He was 61. Gary was born July 17, 1951 in Hershey, PA. He graduated from Palmyra High School in 1969. A true Nittany Lion, he graduated from Penn State University in 1973 where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

In 1991, Gary joined the U.S. Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefit Administration (now Employee Benefits Security Administration) as an Auditor. Prior to joining the government he began his distinguished career with a Big 8 accounting firm and worked in the private sector for 18 years. As an Auditor and then Senior Investigator, Gary worked to vigorously enforce the provisions of Title 1 ERISA, assuring that thousands of American workers received the benefits promised to them. Gary received numerous awards throughout his career, befitting his exemplary investigative and audit skills. He received Special Act awards in February 1993, August 1994, September 1999, and November 2000. He received additional recognition from the National Office for his work involving delinquent employee contributions.

Gary began teaching EBSA investigators at the Employee Benefit Accounting Course in May of 1999, continuously training new investigators from across the country. The Atlanta Regional Office was also privileged to have him serve as an instructor for countless Regional Office trainings on Apprenticeship and Union/Taft-Hartley Plan investigations. Gary served as the office mentor for several current investigators in the Atlanta Regional Office, but unofficially mentored dozens more in the Atlanta Regional Office and in the Regional Offices located across the country.

Gary was a Lifetime Member of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Penn State Club of Georgia as well as The National Accounting Fraternity Beta Alpha Psi and The Business Fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. His interest in coaching youth in wrestling and baseball led to the creation of the Lassiter Junior Trojans Wrestling Program in Marietta. Gary was also an active volunteer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia, where they have just named a camp scholarship in his honor, The Gary Summers Camp Scholarship Fund. He was also active with his church and other civic organizations.

Gary was the son of Charles (Delores) Summers, Hummelstown, PA and the late Phyllis (Risser) Summers. He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann (Augustus) Summers brother, Dale (Linda) of Palmyra, PA, a nephew Shannon (Melanie) of St. Louis, MO, a niece Shelby (Kevin) of West Hartford, CT, and two stepsons, Russell and Steven Burnham.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 19 ^th at 12:00 PM at the Rothermel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 with Deacon Rocco J. Damiano, Jr. officiating. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11 AM until time of the service. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Gary Summers Camp Scholarship Fund at the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. Condolences may be shared at www.rothermelfuneralhome.com