Philip M. Gerlach, age 96, beloved father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, son, uncle, and brother, passed away at home in Jacksonville, FL, surrounded by his family on June 23, 2022.
Born in Pittsfield, MA, to Philip and Pauline Gerlach, he enlisted at age 18 into the Army Air Force and served as a B-24 tail gunner during WWII.
He was the devoted husband of Phyllis Gerlach for 59 years.
Phil taught high school and college mathematics in Scotia, NY. In retirement, he resided in Sebastian, Florida, and summers in Cashiers, NC. He lived his last years in Jacksonville. He continued to tutor math students well into his 80’s and was a voracious reader of 2 daily newspapers.
He is survived by his daughter, Ruth Stutzman of Lynchburg, VA, sons David P. Gerlach, Sr. of Maui, Hawaii and Gregg Gerlach of Jacksonville, sister Janet Drumm of Brentwood, CA, along with 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A military funeral service will take place at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 10:30 am on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, and will be live streamed. The livestream link will be provided soon on the Dignity Memorial website.
Those who would like to commemorate Phil may do so by making a gift to the charity of their choice.
