He received his law degree from St. John's University School of Law and was a retired United States Navy JAG officer.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma Gerken; siblings, John H. Gerken and family and Arlene Gerken Lipke and family and sister-in-law, Toby Covarrubias.
The family will receive friends at the DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington DC 20007 on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 4001 Yuma Street, NW Washington DC on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 10:00am.
Military Honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to St. Ann's Catholic Church or the American Heart Association.
