GERK, William R. "Bill"

GERK, MORUCCI, MURPHY, RIVAS, HERNANDEZ

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/4/2018 at 01:17:56

Obituary ~ William R. "Bill" Gerk
July 10, 1929 ~ July 29, 2004

The San Francisco Gate
San Francisco, California
Wednesday, August 04, 2004

GERK, William R. -- Died July 29, 2004 at home with family and friends about one month after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He lived to the end with strength of will, humor and dignity, and his daughters, and nephew, Ron Gerk will never forget those last few weeks together.

The youngest of 11, Bill was born July 10, 1929 to George and Elizabeth Gerk and was raised on a farm in Clear Lake, IA. He earned a BA from Loras Univ. and a MA in public speaking from the Univ. of Iowa. While teaching, he met his future wife and fellow teacher, Carolyn Campbell.

He served for the Army from 1955-57 in Germany and received an award for his articles in the military's Stars & Stripes newspaper.

After settling in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bill joined the SSF Fire Dept and received a state commendation for teaching fire safety in the schools. He was president of the SF Toastmasters and won the annual humorous speech contest. A self-taught magician and juggler who could handle six balls at once, he often performed for organizations and family.

An avid tennis player, Bill was founder and president of the San Mateo Tennis Club. He played in many statewide police and fire olympics, winning gold in 1975. He was also president of the SF Table Tennis Club. After 24 yrs as a firefighter, Bill retired to Tucson where he pursued his passion for tennis, ranking 4th in a three-state tournament.

A lifetime scholar, he amassed a personal library of over 10,000 books and frequented Bookmen's bookstore where he was known as "Wild Bill." Multi-talented, eccentric, an original, Bill used his love of humor to connect with people.

In his own words, "This was not my plan-but perhaps I will find endless beauty, happiness, love and wisdom there."

He is survived by his four daughters and their families: Barbara and Lindo Morucci, daughter Monica of SF; Mary and Bill Murphy, daughters Sydney and Fiona of Denver; Pamela Gerk, husband Rodolfo Rivas, children Rafael and Gabriela of Aptos, CA; Julie Gerk and husband-to-be David Hernandez of Cincinnati; and his three brothers: Chuck Gerk of Cedar Rapids, IA; Art Gerk of Mason City, IA; Don Gerk of Mankato, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held 1pm, Aug. 6 at McAvoy O'Hara Mortuary, Geary Blvd & 10th Ave in SF, followed by a 3pm ceremony at Skylawn Memorial Park, Hwy 92 at Rte 35, San Mateo.

In deep appreciation of Bill's caregivers, donations may be made in his memory to Carondelet Hospice or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society c/o Barbara Morucci, 240 Colon Ave SF CA 94112.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018