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R.M. Gerhart Obituary

Brought to you by Adair Funeral Home Dodge Chapel

R.M. Gerhart

Tucson, AZ

April 10, 1927 - July 30, 2011

R.M. Gerhart Obituary

R.M. "Dick" Gerhart 4/10/1927 - 7/30/2011 Richard Maurice Gerhart was born at the Stork's Nest in Tucson, AZ on April 10, 1927. His parents, Lillian and Maurice Gerhart, were married at Jayne's Station in 1920. He was the fifth of their nine children. Dick graduated from Tucson High School, class of 1945, and quickly joined the Army Air Force. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands where he served as a Payroll Clerk. Upon completion of his military service at the end of World War II, he returned to Alaska where he homesteaded 160 acres on the Kenai Peninsula in the small town of Soldatna. The one-room cabin he and his brother, Bob erected on this property remains a historic landmark to this day. His homestead in Alaska provided him the motivation to travel there annually throughout the course of his life. There he would visit friends and enjoy many salmon and halibut fishing excursions, which he shared with his close friends and sons. In 1951 he returned to Tucson and married Mary Helen Powers. Together they had six children. Early in his career he worked for his father-in-law at the O'Malley Lumber Company before branching out on his own to form Gerhart-Moehring, Inc., an industrial supply company he co-owned and operated for many years. In 1987 he married Sue Gerhart, his beloved wife of 24 years. Dick was a 41-year Life Member of the Tucson Conquistadores. He served as Tournament Chairman for the 1976 Joe Garagiola Tucson Open and will be remembered for instituting the tournament's first "Grand Slam Tent", a tradition which continued for many years. He was also a long-standing member of the Sunshine Kiwanis Club, where he was known for his enthusiastic participation in the annual Pancake Breakfast. In addition to his parents, Dick is preceded in death by his siblings, Gretchen, Don, Bud, Jeanette and Danny. He is survived by his wife, Sue and brothers, Bob, Dave and Ronnie as well as his children, Mary Keller, Susie (Steve) Christy, Larry Gerhart, Theresa (Tanner) Etchells, Joe Gerhart, and Bill (Shara) Gerhart. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 5, 2011 at El Camino Baptist Church, 7777 E. Broadway at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel. Dick's passions included golf, riding his "machine" in Pinetop, and traveling. He never met a stranger in his life and was known to gleefully strike up a conversation with any and all who crossed his path each day; young or old, rich or poor. Dick will be remembered for his easy manner and quick smile beneath his dazzling blue eyes, and as a loyal and devoted friend to many. Dick's ashes will be scattered over his beloved Soldatna on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of R.M. Gerhart.