Harry Gerhard RADM USN
August 07, 1925 - October 21, 2018
Visitation: Wednesday 4- 7:30 p.m. at Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry
Service: Masonic service with Military Honors at 7:30 p.m. at Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry
Harry E. Gerhard RADM, USN (Retired) – Of Danbury Farms, New Sewickley Twp., on Sunday, October 21, 2018. Beloved husband of Patricia (Paugh); Loving father of Susan Jillson (Brian), H. John Gerhard (Bonnie Kebbe), and Barbara Thomas (Tony); Proud grandfather of 8 and great-grandfather of 6 and 1/3. While serving his country, RADM Gerhard was awarded a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Meritorious Service Medal, among other service and campaign medals. Friends will be received on Wednesday from 4-7:30PM at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME of CRANBERRY, 2678 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., (724) 772-8800, where a Masonic service and Military Honors will follow at 7:30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Semper Fi Fund, PO Box 555193, Camp Pendleton, CA www.semperfifund.org or the Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004-2608, www.navymemorial.org
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I just learned of CAPT GERHARD;s passing. I was a lowly SN who worked in the CAPT’s Office for then CAPT GERHARD while he was CO of CONNIE. (I prepared his BI for RADM.) He was a great skipper and a good person, too. Fair winds and following seas, Skipper!
Harry came to our CVA-64 reunion in October 2007 Bremerton, Wash. because he was our CO January 1971 while here in Bremerton at PSNS. I worked engineering as Power Shop EM-3 and 2.
I was Harry’s wingman during the ’65 cruise aboard the Independence. He was CAG, I was the junior pilot in VA-72. I learned a lot from him.
CAG Gerhard was a true combat leader right out of central casting. What a pleasure it was to serve under the sheer guts and tenacity of this aviator’s aviator. His decisions under fire; his leadership became my model for years to come.
— D.D. Smith
I knew Harry only in our retired years. He sought me out for an entrepreneurial venture scrapping ships. We shared “executive positions” in a company and traveled some to inspect potential ships. We both viewed this venture as one that was best left to others as some of our contacts were of “questionable character” and we felt that our former positions and rank served to provide credibility where it was not warranted. We stayed in touch for years afterward, swapped true stories and lies and enjoyed each other. I will miss Harry. May he rest in peach and may favorable winds always follow him.
Harry, one of the very best pilots in our Air Wing. He always flew the perfect approach to the aircraft carrier day or night. I was the Landing Signal Officer and I never was concerned when he called in for his approach. He had the Golden Touch. Beside, that he was a great person and a tribute to the Navy uniform he wore. Fairwell and following seas. Harry, you will get an OK, #3 wire in heaven.