Richard T Gerstner

Richard T. Gerstner passed away on July 23, 2012 at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. Mr. Gerstner is the oldest of four sons of the late Louis V. Gerstner and Marjorie Gerstner. Mr. Gerstner is survived by his mother Marjorie, his brothers Louis and Joseph, his wife Mary Joette, his daughter and son-in-law Tricia and Gregg Crump of Pennsylvania, and his son David L. Gerstner of Stamford, Connecticut. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Connor, Tyler, Jane, Alison and Katherine. He was predeceased by his brother James E. Gerstner.

Mr. Gerstner grew up in Mineola, New York and was a graduate of Chaminade High School. He received an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University, followed by an MBA from Stanford University.

Mr. Gerstner dedicated himself to a long, successful career at IBM for over thirty years. His career took him all over the world and allowed his family to enjoy living in Paris, France and Tokyo, Japan. He retired from IBM as a Senior Vice President in 1993.

After his retirement from IBM, Mr. Gerstner pursued numerous private ventures and philanthropic endeavors. Of particular importance to him was the diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately a cure for Lyme Disease. Mr. Gerstner contracted Lyme Disease over 20 years ago and suffered from its many debilitating effects. He helped countless people get proper treatment and worked tirelessly with many organizations to further the goal of ending Lyme Disease. He worked for many years with Lyme Research Alliance and received their Lauren Brooks Hope Award in 2011 in recognition of his contributions in sponsoring a research grant for a new drug treatment for Lyme Disease which is now in the final stages of FDA clearance. He also served as the first Director of the Advisory Committee of the Columbia University Medical Center Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Research Center.

Mr. Gerstner devoted his life to his family, friends and all those he encountered. He will be missed every single day. Calling hours will be Thursday, July 26 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Leo P. Gallagher & Sons Funeral Home located at 2900 Summer Street in Stamford. A funeral mass will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church located at 403 Scofieldtown Road in Stamford. Please make any donations in his honor to the Lyme Research Alliance in Stamford, Connecticut. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com