Gerald Hugo Weyrauch

Gerald (Jerry) Hugo Weyrauch of Sandy Springs, GA, but formerly of Marietta, GA, for 39.5 years, died peacefully this past January 10, 2022, from pneumonia and a combination of heart, kidney, and lung failure. He was “plum tuckered out." Jerry had just achieved his goal of turning 95 one month earlier and could not have been happier and prouder!

Jerry was born in Oregon, IL to Emil M. Weyrauch and Esther E. Guetzlaff on December 3, 1926. He was the “baby” of the family and is preceded in death by his brothers Herbert and John and only sister, Madeleine.

Very active in the Lutheran Church and in the happenings of his small town of Oregon, Jerry was endowed with a keen sense of morals, a diligent work ethic, honesty, charity and most importantly duty to God and country, to others and to self. Anyone who knew Jerry could easily recognize these traits even as he took his last breath. Being the grandson of a German immigrant, Lutheran pastor, Lutheranism was paramount in his life. The values, teachings and principles of Luther clearly guided Jerry each and every day of his life. Jerry’s faith was vast and his hope wide, like the ocean!

As one can imagine, growing up during the depression was not easy. John, Jerry’s next eldest brother was his steadfast companion. Many of Jerry’s stories centered around helping his family raise money. A favorite story was that of his mom popping popcorn and bagging it so Jerry and John could load the bags into their little red wagon. The boys would roll over to the Court House lawn, to the huge crowds awaiting the concert to start from the lavish town band stand. John and Jerry wove through all the feet to sell their fresh, homemade delight, satisfying the ravished crowd. For only 5 cents a bag, the best popcorn in Oregon could be devoured and the proceeds shared with his family. Jerry learned his love of cooking and baking from his mom since he was the “baby” and often at home with just his mom, which would serve him well about 22 years later. Another fond childhood memory was that of sharing a newspaper route with John. After collecting their weekly profits each Friday afternoon, they would enjoy a fresh pint of ice cream together. It is no surprise that ice cream became a consistent delight throughout his life and his family’s! One last memory that Jerry delighted in showing and telling, was to take his family to the local train station when visiting Oregon. Jerry would demonstrate how he and John would lay out pennies on the train rails, with the high hopes that oncoming trains would flatten them. It’s anyone’s guess if his mom and dad knew about this “game”!

In High School, Jerry was busy! He was the student council president, co-captain of the football team, sang in the glee club, was editor of the school paper, and made honor roll all four years. Working hard, getting the job done, well, contributing to society and helping others solidified in Jerry those four HS years as did one of his philosophies: leave the world better than you found it.

Jerry enjoyed a highly successful Naval career. He was appointed to the US Naval Academy, saw action in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam War aboard a Cruiser, Destroyer, Attack Transport and in a number of onshore commands. Jerry retired with over 23 years of service at the rank of Commander. There were many highlights of his Naval career, such as when he served as Chief of Operations of the White House “Mess” under President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second term and earning an MBA at Stanford University. When Elsie was typing his Master’s Thesis, their fourth and only child not born in VA arrived. Jerry was first in his class and was voted “most likely to succeed” by his peers. Certainly, it was a highlight to hold the door open for Khrushchev at Camp David. But without contest, the biggest and best highlight was that of meeting Elsie at the O Club, where she and her friends were relaxing, before going on a month of night duty at the Naval Hospital at Naval Station Great Lakes. Jerry swooned Elsie with hot roast beef sandwiches that month while she worked. Roast beef clearly became a family favorite!

Jerry married Elisku (Elsie) Emilie Pavoucek, of Omaha, NE on Dec. 9, 1951. Together they raised five children, while moving every 2-3 years. Jerry loved to putter around the house, delighting in working on homeowner projects large and small with family. He took care of the rabbits, the dogs, the garden, while at the same time he was a Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and a church council member, for many churches.

After his Naval career retirement, Jerry pursued a successful business career as a VP with the Marriot Corporation on L.I., NY and Silver Spring, MD. Becoming the Executive Vice President of the Davis Bros Company relocated the family to Marietta, GA. He also pursued an insurance career.

In 1987, upon losing their daughter, Terri Ann Weyrauch, MD to suicide, Jerry and Elsie became lifelong advocates for suicide prevention. They founded the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network, in 1996, which conducted grassroots, nationwide lobbying, held annual events and marches in D.C. forged relationships with Paul Coverdell, Paul Quinnett, Iris Bolton, Ken and Madge Tullis, Quix Levine, John Lewis, Harry Reid, Dr. Satcher (former Surgeon General), Johhny Isaakson, Jennifer Holliday, R.E.M., the Winans and Tipper Gore, to name a few. All these activities led to the development of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, opened the doors for mental health parity and created the federally funded Suicide Prevention Resource Center, "SPRC". Another outcome of SPAN’s work was the creation and implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (call 988).

Even though Jerry and Elsie had achieved the goals of SPAN, they knew that more needed to be accomplished to stop suicides. So, they founded the Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministries in 2010, (a Lutheran ILO), nearly ten years after their dear friend, Rev. John Stumme, wrote the “ELCA Message on Suicide Prevention”, to implement this message. The ELCA church council approved the message on 11/14/99. Then, in 2011, the ELCA church-wide assembly approved the following resolution: Resolved, that we call upon all expressions of this church, as appropriate, to seek ways to deal with this issue, consistent with the Message on Suicide Prevention”. The Message is based on Galatians 6:2. In 2016, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recorded a video on suicide prevention, sharing a message of hope, saying: Suicide can be prevented. We are never beyond God’s mercy and compassion. http://www.lutheransuicideprevention.org/

Understanding that faith communities reach the majority of people and may offer hope, help and healing, Elsie and Jerry created SPM or Suicide Prevention Ministry with the hopes to reach more faith communities. E & J forged collaborative working relationships with many at the Lutheran ELCA office in Chicago, IL (where his father would go for meetings), made numerous personal visits to the HQ at their own expense and kept the dialogue active and working. Jerry and Elsie received many awards for their work in suicide prevention, including, in 2003, the Farberow Award, from the International Association for Suicide Prevention, which recognizes persons who have contributed significantly in the field of work with survivors of suicide.

Last June, at the Lutheran SE Synod Assembly, Jerry received the 2021 Robert S. and Jean E. Graetz Advocacy award for his lifetime of work to prevent suicide. Along with Elsie, their “fire in the belly” fueled their passion to work with suicide survivors and raising money for research. Jerry established education of the rostered leaders by funding QPR training. Jerry, along with SPM, was developing a national cross-denominational gathering of church leaders, to equip faith leaders and their congregations in this important work. Jerry’s timeframe for this assembly was for the fall of 2023. SPM continues to move his plans forward.

Jerry was loved by and a friend and confidante to many, to include a US President, a US Senate Majority Leader, US Senators, US House of Representatives, a US Surgeon General, many clergy, Bishops, and grassroots folks, young and old, across the US and the world.

Without a doubt, Jerry left this world better than he found it. And he definitely emulated another one of his truths that: to whom much is given, much is expected Luke 12:48. He happily lived a life of self-less service, as did his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave and gave until he could no longer give.

We are blessed and better to have known and loved such a gentle soul. Thanks, God!

Jerry was preceded in death by wife, Elsie P. Weyrauch, RN; daughter, Terri A. Weyrauch, MD; and son Kurt D. Weyrauch, MBA. Jerry is survived by daughter, Susan L. Weyrauch, Ed.S., LPC, RPT-S; sons John S. Weyrauch, MBA and Karl F. Weyrauch, MD, MPH; daughters-in law Ellen Weyrauch and Patricia Boiko, MD, MPH; grandchildren Derek Boiko-Weyrauch, Anna Boiko-Weyrauch, MA; Sam Weyrauch, MBA, and Emily Weyrauch.

Two services will be held to remember Jerry. First, his ashes will be committed at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr., Canton, GA 30114, on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 1500. Then, a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 4814 Paper Mill Rd., SE, Marietta, GA 30067, at 1100 with reception to follow.

Memorials would be gratefully received by Suicide Prevention Ministry c/o David Gann, 43555 Prestwick Circle, Northville, MI 48168.

PEACE