William R. Gerk died July 29, 2004 at home with family and friends approximately 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. He earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Loras University and a Master of Arts degree in public speaking from the University of Iowa. While teaching, he met his future wife and fellow teacher, Carolyn Campbell.
He served in the Army from 1955 - 1957 in Germany and received an award for his articles in the military's Stars and 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 Firemen Olympics', winning gold in 1975. He was also president of the SF Table Tennis Club.
After 24 years as a firefighter, Bill retired to Tucson, Az., where he pursued his passion for tennis, ranking fourth 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 San Francisco, Calif.; Mary and Bill Murphy, daughters, Sydney and Fiona, of Denver, Colo.; Pamela Gerk and husband, Rodolfo Rivas, children, Rafael and Gabriela of Aptos, Calif.; Julie Gerk and husband-to-be, David Hernandez, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and his three brothers, Chuck Gerk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Art Gerk of Mason City, Iowa; Don Gerk of Mankato, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
A ceremony was held Aug. 6 at Skylawn Memorial Park, Highway 92 at Rte 35, San Mateo, Calif. In deep appreciation of Bill's caregivers, donations may be made in his memory to Carondelet Hospice or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o Barbara Morucci, 240 Colon Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
The youngest of 11, Bill was born July 10,1929 to George and Elizabeth Gerk and was raised on a farm in Clear Lake. He earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Loras University and a Master of Arts degree in public speaking from the University of Iowa. While teaching, he met his future wife and fellow teacher, Carolyn Campbell.
He served in the Army from 1955 - 1957 in Germany and received an award for his articles in the military's Stars and 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 Firemen Olympics', winning gold in 1975. He was also president of the SF Table Tennis Club.
After 24 years as a firefighter, Bill retired to Tucson, Az., where he pursued his passion for tennis, ranking fourth 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 San Francisco, Calif.; Mary and Bill Murphy, daughters, Sydney and Fiona, of Denver, Colo.; Pamela Gerk and husband, Rodolfo Rivas, children, Rafael and Gabriela of Aptos, Calif.; Julie Gerk and husband-to-be, David Hernandez, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and his three brothers, Chuck Gerk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Art Gerk of Mason City, Iowa; Don Gerk of Mankato, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
A ceremony was held Aug. 6 at Skylawn Memorial Park, Highway 92 at Rte 35, San Mateo, Calif. In deep appreciation of Bill's caregivers, donations may be made in his memory to Carondelet Hospice or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o Barbara Morucci, 240 Colon Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
William R. Gerk died July 29, 2004 at home with family and friends approximately 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. He earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Loras University and a Master of Arts degree in public speaking from the University of Iowa. While teaching, he met his future wife and fellow teacher, Carolyn Campbell.
He served in the Army from 1955 - 1957 in Germany and received an award for his articles in the military's Stars and 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 Firemen Olympics', winning gold in 1975. He was also president of the SF Table Tennis Club.
After 24 years as a firefighter, Bill retired to Tucson, Az., where he pursued his passion for tennis, ranking fourth 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 San Francisco, Calif.; Mary and Bill Murphy, daughters, Sydney and Fiona, of Denver, Colo.; Pamela Gerk and husband, Rodolfo Rivas, children, Rafael and Gabriela of Aptos, Calif.; Julie Gerk and husband-to-be, David Hernandez, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and his three brothers, Chuck Gerk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Art Gerk of Mason City, Iowa; Don Gerk of Mankato, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
A ceremony was held Aug. 6 at Skylawn Memorial Park, Highway 92 at Rte 35, San Mateo, Calif. In deep appreciation of Bill's caregivers, donations may be made in his memory to Carondelet Hospice or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o Barbara Morucci, 240 Colon Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
The youngest of 11, Bill was born July 10,1929 to George and Elizabeth Gerk and was raised on a farm in Clear Lake. He earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Loras University and a Master of Arts degree in public speaking from the University of Iowa. While teaching, he met his future wife and fellow teacher, Carolyn Campbell.
He served in the Army from 1955 - 1957 in Germany and received an award for his articles in the military's Stars and 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 Firemen Olympics', winning gold in 1975. He was also president of the SF Table Tennis Club.
After 24 years as a firefighter, Bill retired to Tucson, Az., where he pursued his passion for tennis, ranking fourth 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 San Francisco, Calif.; Mary and Bill Murphy, daughters, Sydney and Fiona, of Denver, Colo.; Pamela Gerk and husband, Rodolfo Rivas, children, Rafael and Gabriela of Aptos, Calif.; Julie Gerk and husband-to-be, David Hernandez, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and his three brothers, Chuck Gerk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Art Gerk of Mason City, Iowa; Don Gerk of Mankato, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
A ceremony was held Aug. 6 at Skylawn Memorial Park, Highway 92 at Rte 35, San Mateo, Calif. In deep appreciation of Bill's caregivers, donations may be made in his memory to Carondelet Hospice or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o Barbara Morucci, 240 Colon Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
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