Richard Gerding Dies at 78; a Richmond Heights Fire Department Retiree

Richard H. Gerding died Sunday at age 78. He was a longtime employee of the , having served as an administrative assistant to fire chiefs Pat O’Neal, C. Larry Drexler and Kerry Hogan. Patch wishes to thank Mr. Gerding's family for sharing the following life story. 

Life

Born in St. Louis, MO on April 10, 1934, and asleep in Jesus on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Mr. Gerding married the late Yasuko Doi in Tokyo, Japan.  They were married for 52 years. 

Dear father of Edward (Linda) Gerding and Deborah (Michael) Sykuta; dear grandfather of Ashton and Callie Gerding, and Alyssa, Grant, and Jacob Sykuta. 

Mr. Gerding was a graduate of Saint Louis University.  He then served in the U.S. Navy for four years.  Mr. Gerding retired from McDonnell Douglas as a manager of accounting in 1992 after 32 years of service, and then worked for the for 19 years, earning a second retirement in 2011. 

Mr. Gerding was a lifelong international traveler, had traveled to all seven continents, and visited all 50 states.  He also took each of his grandchildren on an international trip.

Services

Memorial Visitation will be held at , 10151 Gravois, Saturday, September 15, from 4:00-9:00 pm, with memorial service at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis MO, on Sunday, September 16, at 12:30 pm. 

A burial at sea in the Pacific will be at a future date, with spouse and canines Yama, Hana, and Yuri. 

If desired, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.

More about Mr. Gerding from the City of Richmond Heights:

• RHFD Administrative Assistant Retires After 19 Years