Couple leaves over $100k to their state’s K9 and endangered wildlife program

Clarence and Gertrude Sleeper spent a lot of time outdoors prior to their deaths in December of 2019.

The Littleton, New Hampshire couple was well-known to have enjoyed the great outdoors and its various activities. They were often seen around their small town with their 3 dogs.

Wikimedia Source: Wikimedia

A surprise savings

Despite the sad circumstances, state officials were surprised to hear that they had bequeathed $144K to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department so that it could continue to fund their K-9 and endangered wildlife program.

The state’s Executive Council recently released the funds, allowing the state to accept the donation. Col. Kevin Jordan said it all came as “a complete surprise to us.”

K9 wildlife officers

The state’s K-9 teams help law enforcement protect natural resources and assist those in need when they’re out in the wilderness. They are also critical in tracking, searches, evidence detection in criminal cases, and all search-and-rescue missions.

According to the Department’s website:

“The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program monitors and manages more than 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians not hunted, trapped or fish, as well as thousands of insect species. The program also provides outreach and education and works with other state agencies on conservation strategies.”

The Sleepers

Clarence Webster Sleeper (aka “Web”), 85, and Gertrude Sleeper (aka “Gert”), 84, were both born and raised in New Hampshire. They spent their adult lives there as well, both working for New England Tel & Tel. Co.

Wikimedia Commons Source: Wikimedia Commons

They were known to many in their New England town as a couple that loved outdoor activities – such as skiing – as well as traveling through the nation’s national parks, all the way up to Alaska. Avid outdoors people, they enjoyed camping, and Gert enjoyed tending to her rose garden.

Pixabay Source: Pixabay

Animal lovers

Even despite growing and canning their own fruits and vegetables, the Sleepers welcomed deer and other wildlife into their backyard.

They were clearly animal-lovers, no matter what the creature.

According to their obituary in The Valley News:

“Throughout the years, one did not see Web and Gert without one of their three beloved dogs.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise that they had prepared to donate so much of their life savings to supporting the state’s wildlife and especially their canine enforcement agents.

A devastating discovery

Their deaths were determined to be a murder-suicide according to a local paper. Their bodies were found in their mobile home when police were asked to do a welfare check on December 17th.

WMUR News Source: WMUR News

The coroner’s report would conclude that they had both died on December 15th from a single gunshot wound to the head. Mrs. Sleeper’s cause of death was determined to be a homicide, while Mr. Sleeper’s was ruled a suicide. Further investigations into their deaths by the attorney general’s office do not seem to have turned up anything newsworthy.

An unnamed neighbor of the Sleepers interviewed by Union Leader said she knew the couple for only 5 months but said that Gertrude Sleeper “had recently been working through a medical challenge.”

The neighbor called them “sweet, sweet people” who were a pleasure to be with since they loved to share stories of their travels and other adventures.

“I had no sense this was going to happen,” she said of their deaths.

If you’d also like to help support the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH’s Canine Fund, you can send donations to 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301, or give online.

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Source: RFD TV, WCAX News, Valley News, New Hampshire Fish and Game, InDepthNH.org, WMUR

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