Island Profile: Suanne & Gerhardt Thamm
Story and photos by Dickie Anderson

In 1993 when Gerhardt and Suanne Thamm considered retirement, they never imagined they would move from their long-time Washington, D.C. home to Florida. Move they did, and now they love living in the historic district of Fernandina Beach and tending the rambling garden that surrounds their home. In addition, the two are sharing their passion and talents with the island they have grown to love.

The Thamms left exciting but hectic lives in the nation's capital where both had enjoyed successful government careers. How did they find Amelia Island? They describe a car trip to Florida and traveling down I-95. Weary of the busy interstate, they decided to get off and take the first exit in Florida that had the word "beach" in it. So "Fernandina Beach" it was, and they soon fell in love with the island. That was the first of several trips and stays at the Fairbanks House. On one trip they found the house on Broome Street in the Historic District where they now live.

Suanne and Gerhardt Thamm on the porch of their downtown home.
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They wasted no time getting involved in their new community. Suanne currently serves as chair of FCCJ's District Board of Trustees for 2004-05 and has been vice chair for Nassau County for three terms. Her passion for FCCJ's growth and future is evident as she works for Florida’s rapidly growing system of community colleges. In addition, Thamm serves as an alternate on the Historic District Council for the City of Fernandina Beach and is secretary to the Board of Trustees of the Amelia Island Museum of History. Suanne is also a member and past president of the Nassau Federated Republican Women, and sits on the Nassau County Historic Court House Trust Committee.

Suanne received a scholarship to Syracuse University and earned an A.B. degree in Soviet/East European Area Studies, with a minor in the Russian language. She continued her studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Before retiring, Suanne worked for the Library of Congress for 25 years serving in many different capacities.

Gerhardt, with his characteristic smile, mentions his many retirements from government service, which included stints with the Army Security Agency, Naval Intelligence, lecturing and teaching at the Defense Intelligence College, and two years as DIA Intelligence Operations Officer. After his retirement from the government in 1987, he lectured extensively on counterespionage and security measures. He has written exclusively on military intelligence, and in 1994 he received the CIA's award for "Outstanding Contribution to the Literature of Intelligence."

Although born in Detroit, Michigan, Thamm grew up on his grandfather's farm in Lower Silesia, Germany. In 1945 the area, near the Czechoslovakian and Polish borders, became a battleground and was captured by the Soviets. Thamm, like many of his Hitler Youth high school classmates, was conscripted to fight on the Eastern Front until the last few days of World War II. Thamm's family was deported in 1946 to West Germany. In 1948 at age 17, he arrived in the United States and joined the U.S. Army the same year. A book about his experiences, Boy Soldier: A German Teenager at the Nazi Twilight is available at local book stores.

Gerhardt Thamm is shown here in a 1953 photo
taken while he was stationed in Germany.
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The Thamm's house, originally a one-room dwelling, dates back to 1884. Many different people have lived in the house through the years, so there have been many additions and changes. After the house was purchased, it was clear it needed lots of work. The Thamms began a series of projects to make the needed repairs and expand their home. The most recent addition is a large sunny family room. As they made their renovations, they were careful to protect the historic integrity of the house and neighborhood. They used contractors who specialized in historic preservation. The home is now a show place with the collected treasures of its owners and a rambling garden surrounding it.

The Thamm's home, built in 1884, is surrounded by a beautiful garden.
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Avid gardeners, the two have created a fanciful garden where blooming flowers delight the eye and happy birds fly from plant to plant. A collection of birdhouses decorate an outside wall of the two story garage behind the house. A small vegetable garden is located close to the back door leading into the kitchen.

"We wouldn't live anywhere else," Suanne shares. Visiting with the Thamms on their welcoming front porch is to spend time with people who love the rhythm of living in a neighborhood where people wave and you can walk to Centre Street.

Dickie Anderson is an Amelia Island writer. Her series of "Porch" books are available at island books stores or at www.dickieanderson.com