Rich was an excellent mechanic and loved old cars. He started a car club at the age of 16 and eventually purchased the building where the club met. This is where he opened his own speed shop, North Jersey Performance & Machine, Inc. until moving to Lake Murray, SC 15 years ago to enjoy his fishing hobby. For the past five years, Rich also worked with Tom Mack Classics/Tom Mack Auctions where he was involved in the restoration of classic cars.
Rich was President of the Fishing Federation Club and was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing in tournaments.
Rich was a kind-hearted, genuine, loving person who was a loving husband, father and proud grandfather. To know Rich was to love him. He touched many lives and will be missed by all.
He is survived by Louise, his wife of 51 years; daughters, Nicole of NJ, Heather of Maine, Megan of NJ and four grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanchapin.com for the Gerken family.
