Monroe L. ‘Dutch’ Gerhart, 90

December 04, 2014

Monroe L. ‘Dutch’ Gerhart, 90, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2014, at Luther Acres Manor. He was the husband of the late Barbara Davis Gerhart who died January 6, 2009. They were married for over 58 years. Born in Ephrata, he was the son of the late Elam and Lizzie (Dinger) Gerhart. Monroe was a 1942 graduate of Ephrata High School and a 1947 graduate of Penn State University with a BS in Chemistry. He worked for Armstrong World Industries for 36 years in both the Lancaster and Jackson, MS locations, retiring as the chief chemist in 1986.
He was a Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State Football fan. He enjoyed playing pinochle and bridge, cooking, gardening, and working in his yard. He also enjoyed traveling to all parts of the world and especially walking the beach at Siesta Key, FL. However, he most enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family and was overcome with joy at receiving birthday cards from all his nieces, nephews, family, and friends in celebration of his 90th birthday in October.
Monroe was a US Army WWII veteran, serving as Sgt in the Pacific Theatre. He was stationed in Okinawa and the Philippines. He was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he served on the Benevolence Committee and ushered in his younger years.
Monroe is survived by his children: Karl married to Virginia Kauffman Gerhart of Lititz, Charlotte married to Roger Foster, Aston, PA, Nancy married to Ernie Kiser, Madison, AL, and Theodore Gerhart married to Caroline ‘CJ’ Townsend, Keller, TX; his four grandchildren David & Becky Gerhart and Rachel & Sarah Foster; his sisters S. Lorraine Cassel and Mary Petticoffer both of Manheim and sister-in-law Arletta Gerhart, Ephrata. He was predeceased by his siblings Mae Weisert, Elmer Gerhart, Annabelle Brenner, and Jacob Gerhart.
Friends will be received on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601 from 10 – 11 AM with the Funeral Service to follow at 11 AM. Interment will be in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Neffsville. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Monroe’s memory to the Benevolence Fund at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at the above address.