The philosopher/scientist David Chalmers has proposed that perhaps consciousness is its own thing - like space-time is its own thing. That’s in alignment what Jerry believed, and when Mona (yes, Darrell, he loved both you and Mona) was killed so tragically, he said something to that effect, that her body is dead, but her consciousness continues.

I met Jerry when I was 18. (And after that I met all of you who’ve posted.) I was a cashier at Lucky Supermarket #709 in Tempe. He was hired as a “stock boy” and as such his first flirtation with me was through the dairy case, me on the shopping side, he pushing the milk and butter through from the back. We were on again and off again for several years, sometimes living together, sometimes not. But we never lost touch with each other. His Christmas cards and birthday cards arrived faithfully every year, and we kept a tradition of at least one long and winding phone call annually.

That’s how I knew he’d died. The cards quit coming. I’d call, but he’d not return the call, which was not like Jerry. I didn’t look for an obit. I wanted to believe that he’d run off to Papua New Guinea  to live with a tribe, leaving his cellphone behind. Or something. But in a strange twist of … fate? Nom called me just this past Friday. We talked for close to an hour. I am so grateful to her for her call, her words, and mostly for her care and caretaking of Jerry as his body neared the end. And perhaps Dr. Chalmers and Jerry have it right. In which case, Jerry continues. And that would be ever so nice, as I find it difficult to accept that he won’t call ever again.

Jerry was a gentle, intelligent, generous, loyal, good man. I was and am grateful to have been his longtime friend. I met him when I was 18. Now I’m 73. The love just never stops.  And never will.

I just learned of Jerry's passing. I lived next to Jerry on 30th Drive in phoenix  during grade school and high school.  As a child he was my best friend.  I lost track of him in the mid 1970's.  
I am so saddened by his loss.  I would appreciate hearing from anyone who could share with me all about him since I lost track of him.
I had always hoped to reconnect and so sad it never happened.
Michael Young

Jerry was my uncle, when I would go to Las Vegas to visit my father Jerry would often come over to visit as well. We had many good times going out to dinner, movies and other Las Vegas events. Jerry was the nicest guy, great to talk to and the best uncle ever. He will be missed dearly.


I met Jerry in 1972 when I went to work at a Lucky store in Mesa, Arizona.  I was hired to work night crew there and Jerry was the first coworker that I met.  He was this hippy guy who came to unlock the door when I tapped on the glass with my motorcycle key.  I remember looking at him and thinking “Oh man, why did I cut my hair for this job?”  Jerry was about as Jesus looking as you could get with his long hair and beard.  He might have been barefoot as well, he did that a lot back then.
Jerry was instantly likable.  He was intelligent, very open, honest and kind.  There was a decent man right there I was thinking.
It wasn’t long before we became friends and started hanging out together.  We had many good times, sharing music and hours of philosophical discussions.  Jerry even tried to teach me to play chess.  
When I moved into an apartment with my future wife Mona, Jerry rented the apartment next door.  They became good friends too and I’m pretty sure that Jerry loved Mona as much as I did.  When I married Mona, Jerry was my best man.  When Mona was killed by a stop sign runner, Jerry was the one who drove me to the hospital and the one who identified her body because I couldn’t bear to see her dead.  When we buried her, Jerry was a pallbearer at her funeral.
After Mona's death I went into shock and lost all of my friends for one reason or another.  Two years later, when I started to come out of it, Jerry had moved to Las Vegas.  We lost touch and I never spoke to him again, although I tried to get a phone number several times over the years.  I just didn’t try hard enough.
I finally found a phone number for him a few months ago and I’ve called several times but no one picked up.  I looked him up again today and found this article.  I cried when I read his obituary.  Of all of the friends I have lost in my lifetime I regret losing Jerry’s friendship the most.


Jerry was a grade school, high school and beyond friend.  I spent many an evening at his Phoenix home in the early to mid-70s as well as his years in the quonset huts by ASU.  We had reconnected in early 2020.   I'm very glad we did.  I tried to keep in touch on FB but he went silent.  I'm sorry we didn't get to physically visit again.  He shall remain a fond memory for me all of my life.  Jerry you are missed.

Jerry was my uncle. I still remember his Air Force stories when I was a child. He was known for giving his nephews complex board games as gifts. I didn't see him often as an adult but when I did I always enjoyed the conversation. He will be missed.

     Alfred Gerald Ahlrich "Jerry" was my brother.  We were both  born in a small town in  Iowa  - Le Mars.  There are great memories of growing up and spending our early childhoods there along with half brothers, Jim and Larry and half sister Elaine.
   
     The family moved to Sioux  City and later to Phoenix, Arizona where cousin Lynn's family had also moved.  It was a major change in climate and schools for Jerry and I and we had fond memories of our new life in Arizona.  He was always a great brother who  helped  to make the family complete.  He had many interests and a lot of friends.

     In the 1970's Jerry moved to Las Vegas and I followed in the 1990's.  We shared a lot of fun times going to restaurants, movies and playing golf with  Jerry's close friend, Cliff and others.

     Jerry enjoyed many visits from out of town family members and was generous with sharing his time and stories.  We also made many trips back to Iowa to visit family and the old "hometown".

     Jerry was a great brother, I loved him very much and I will dearly miss him.

OBITUARY

Alfred Gerald Ahlrich

January 20, 1946 – December 1, 2020

Palm Cheyenne Mortuary

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