John Andrew Gerber

John Andrew Gerber passed peacefully on February 21, 2021 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife of over 58 loving years Donna Gerber; his sons David Gerber (Cazenovia, NY) and Matthew Gerber (Newbury Ohio), his daughters in law Sharon Gerber and Jennifer Gerber; his brother Carl Gerber (Oberlin, OH) and his grandchildren Kaitlyn Gerber (Arlington, VA) and Ross Gerber (Washington DC). John is predeceased by his parents Andrew and Mary Gerber and his daughter Elizabeth Gerber. A life-long Ohioan, John grew up in Cleveland graduating from John Marshall High School and from Oberlin College with a degree in Chemistry in 1961. It was at Oberlin where John met Donna who he married on August 18, 1962. Upon graduating from Oberlin, John joined the Harshaw Chemical Company as a chemist in the instrumental analytical research laboratory. John went on to a long and successful 35-year career with Harshaw and its successor companies serving in a range of positions as a technical services director, product manager, director of environmental affairs, divisional business manager, national sales manager, and plant manager before his retirement in the late 1990s. Along the way, John obtained an associate degree in professional management from John Carrol University. John was a patriotic man who loved his country and believed in service. Early in retirement John drove for Geauga Transit for over ten years. He was a past president of the Cleveland Chemical Society, a member of the American Chemical Society and Society for Applied Spectroscopy, on the Geauga County Blue Ribbon Economic Panel, and Chairman of the Metzenbaum School Board. John was a deeply faithful man whose belief in God sustained, challenged, and nurtured him throughout his life. He and Donna have been active members of the Trinity and Mayfield United Methodist Churches for the past 52 years. Over the years, John served the Church as a Trustee, the Finance Committee Chairman, with the Men’s Ministry Homeless Outreach Team, with the Western Reserve District Emergency Response Team, and as a friendly greeter on Sunday mornings to all. John loved his rural home in Newbury for 50 years that included robust gardens, and assortment of animals including horses (despite John’s hay fever), many home improvements projects, and a constant yard battle with moles. John also loved to travel especially to the America West and his overseas trips for business and leisure including trips to visit family in England and Wales. John provided his family with vacations every summer to Cayuga Lake in the New York Finger Lakes region which led to the purchase of his beloved Lake House in 1986. John enjoyed spending summer days driving his boat for friends and family and congregating with love and fellowship for evening happy hours, warm sunsets, and beach campfires. He was a good man. A straight shooter with a strong work ethic and moral compass who was fun to be around and loved by many. He will be missed. A memorial service celebrating the life of John A. Gerber will be held at the Mayfield United Methodist Church (7747 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, OH 44026) on Saturday, March 6 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s name to the Mayfield Church.