Bruce Gerth

Bruce Gerth, 73, of LeClaire, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Friday, October 4, 2013, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2013, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.  Visitation will be Sunday, October 6, 2013, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with a Masonic service at 5:00 p.m.  Per Bruce’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.  Memorials may be made to First Christian Church of East Moline or Early Morning Lodge #672.

Bruce was born in 1940 in Wapello, Iowa, the son of Lewis and Janet Gerth.  He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1958 and St. Ambrose College in 1963 with a degree in Physics, going on to earn his MBA from St. Ambrose in 1981.

Bruce spent most of his career working for the former Bendix Corporation (later acquired by Litton Industries, Northrop Grumman, and then Carleton Life Support, a division of Cobham), an aerospace contractor for the US Government.  Starting as an engineer, he worked his way up to the management level, eventually becoming Director of Quality Assurance and I.T., the position from which he retired in 2005.  During his career, Bruce worked with many talented people on numerous interesting projects.  The friendships he made along the way were important to him and enhanced his life.

Bruce married Mary Ann Halling in 1959.  From this marriage came two daughters, Kelli and Stephanie.  He then married Sue Witte in Bettendorf.  Bruce later married Traci Keith in Davenport.  His daughters were his proudest accomplishment.

Bruce was an aviation enthusiast, obtaining his private VFR license in his 20’s under the instruction of Otto Stender in Maysville, Iowa.  He later obtained his instrument rating and commercial license.  Flying was a favorite pastime, especially following retirement.  He was also very passionate about history and politics, participating in the Republican caucus process and enjoying the debate of many issues.

Bruce was a member and past master of Early Morning Lodge #672, and member of Hamilton Lodge #664, both of Bettendorf.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Traci; daughter Kelli Lepensky, Orange, Connecticut, and children, Christopher, Gabrielle, Connor, and Grace Lepensky; daughter Stephanie (Scott) Bailey, Pella, Iowa, and children, Joseph (Elizabeth) Bailey, Lauren (Jacob) Johnson, Peter and Joshua Bailey; great grandchildren Abigail Bailey and Katherine Johnson; sister, Charlotte (Jeff) Peterson, Rock Island, Illinois; brother, Bill (Ingrid) Gerth, Eldridge, Iowa; four nephews, Jeremy Gerth, Justin Gerth, Todd (April) Peterson and Mark (Kimberly) Peterson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joyce and Richard Keith, Davenport; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tari and Robert Saul, Davenport, and nieces Allie and Olivia Saul.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Gerth and Janet Drobner, step-mother, Frances Gerth, and son-in-law, Mark Lepensky.