Erik Nicholas von Spaeth

Nick von Spaeth of Easton, MD, independent film producer, director and editor, died at the Guest Wing of Hospice House on Friday, November 9, 2001. He was 62. Born in Port Chester, NY on May 25, 1939, he was the son of the late Erik and Clara Christiansen von Spaeth. He grew up in Rye, NY on Allensten, an estate built by first Chief Justice John Jay, where his father was superintendent The family lived in its carriage house. In later years, the property fell into hands of a developer, and Nick joined in efforts to save the property for restoration. It is now known as the Jay Heritage Center. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army. Following his discharge three years later, he earned an A.A. degree in Commercial Art from the State University of New York at Farmingdale. He lived in Washington, D.C. for most of his working life. He worked for the Creative Arts and Design Center in Washington before starting Von Spaeth Productions in September 1978. He produced, directed and edited documentary films for the National Park Service and individual entities, as well as directed and edited many films for exhibits in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). Among films he produced, edited and directed are: Romance of Restoration, Classic Cars Reborn for White Post Restorations, which won the Cine Golden Eagle Award in 1991; Star Trek, The Documentary for NASM, which won the Cine Golden Eagle Award in 1992; The Allegheny Portage Railroad for the National Park Service, which won the Cine Golden Eagle Award in 1993 and Star Wars; The Magic of Myth for NASM, which won the Cine Golden Eagle Award in 1998. Mr. Von Spaeth married the former Lynda Snyder in 1980. They relocated to Easton from Washington, D.C. in 1995. He enjoyed woodworking, cabinet making and restoring his 1951 Ford 8N tractor and his 1947 Willies Jeep. He was in the inaugural class of Shore Leadership Maryland in 1997. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a sister, Carol Ann Hamm and her husband, Wayne of Oakton, VA; a niece, Christine Erika Hill and, her husband, William and great-niece, Meredith of Fairfax, VA; and a nephew, Gregory Hamm of San Diego, CA. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 3:00 PM at the Oxford Cemetery Columbarium, Oxford, MD. Memorial donations may be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601 or Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Road, PO Box 661, Rye, NY 10580(for carriage house restoration). Services are by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton.