No words can describe how good of a man Richard Gerlach was or how deeply he was loved. He was selfless, patient, hardworking, caring, loyal, a devoted husband, a family-man, a baseball fanatic, a friend to anyone, and an exceptional father. Richard enjoyed a life full of playing baseball and softball in the fields of Eastern Iowa, farming the Gerlach farm with his family in Springbrook, appreciating new and old friendships, plunging into adventures and new starts with his wife Heather, and traveling to gymnastic competitions and riding roller coasters with his daughter Erica “Sunny”.
Richard Gerlach was a software engineer and had an interest in the rising industry in his early twenties. He was raised on a farm in Springbrook, IA, met his wife in Cedar Rapids, IA, married in Council Bluffs, IA, raised his daughter in Des Moines, IA and Omaha, NE, and died unexpectedly at the age of 69 from a heart attack on June 15, 2018 in Omaha, NE.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; Leo and Hilda and siblings; Donald, Arnold, Roger and Cletus and is survived by his wife, Heather; daughter, Erica “Sunny” (Patrick) Mullen; brother, Orville; sisters, Mary Banowetz and Rita Mae Gerlach. Richard was the youngest of his eight brother and sisters.
Richard was born in Bellevue, Iowa in Jackson County on July 23, 1948. He attended a catholic school for most of his childhood and a little red school house for a couple years. He graduated high school and earned an associates degree in computer science. On August 6, 1977, he married his ambitious wife, Heather, a psychology major and later a human resources director. On November 18, 1988, he welcomed his only child Erica Eloise into the word. He had multiple beloved nicknames for his pride and joy: pumpkin, scooter, little Ricky, and princess mohawk.
Richard was a huge Kanas City Chiefs, Cleveland Indians, and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed learning about history, reading the newspaper, running with the family dog, taking long walks with his daughter, and taking family trips. He was known for his calm nature and sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him well.
A viewing is scheduled on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church, 780 Pinnacle Drive in Papillion, NE from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service is scheduled on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church for 10:30 AM with a reception to follow. All friends and family are welcome to the funeral and viewing. Flowers may be sent to St. Martha’s Episcopal Church or donations to MVP4Life, http://www.mvp4life.org/ (tax ID number for MVP 4 Life: 27-1699486). You may note in the link the donation is on behalf of Richard Gerlach. MVP4Life is a non-profit organization that teaches youth life skills through the game of baseball.
