ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of Denise Gerhardt, who sadly left us on December 19, 2018. We will remember her forever.

Denise was a beloved member of the Lewis & Clark College community who served as Administrative Coordinator of the Music Department from 1986 to 2014. She passed away on December 19, 2018 after having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November. Her husband, Fred Gerhardt, Lewis and Clark 1965, MM 1967, is now living with his daughter in Arizona. There is no other family.

We invite you to contribute in Denise’s memory by giving to the Gerhardt Music Student Enrichment Fund, a scholarship established in 2014 by Fred and Denise Gerhardt for music students at Lewis & Clark College to support them with grants to enhance students' learning experience at and beyond Lewis and Clark. If you interested in supporting Denise's memory, please consider contribution to this fund. The link below will take you to a giving page which has the Gerhardt Music Student Enrichment Fund set as the default. Any gifts made via this page will be directed to the Gerhardt Fund, and comments may be provided from this page as well:

https://mylc.lclark.edu/gerhardt 

With this gift, Denise and Fred hoped to extend support to talented students who may otherwise not have the means to fully realize their academic and career potential. By doing so, they hope to bolster students’ readiness to transition to academic or professional life after graduating from Lewis & Clark. It is the hope of the Music Department to be able to continue this fund in Denise's memory.

Tributes

Leave a tribute
Susan McBerry
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
Here's to Denise who did everything from custodial to cleaning the kitchen, to answering all phone calls, to formatting all programs, to coordinating stage needs, to creating and editing programs, to planning faculty parties, providing support for faculty meetings, baby showers, wedding showers, to moving furniture, to ordering new furnishing for Seitz, to managing the building...... such as painting, the furnace, the window cleanings,etc.
Need I say more? Susan McBerry
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I am deeply sorry to learn about Denise's passing. I realize how close she was to everyone at the L&C Music department and I extend my condolences to the entire faculty during this time of grief. Please keep me informed about the schedule for the celebration of life. I cannot be certain about my schedule at this point but I would like to try to make plans to attend." - Chris Stevens
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I, and I'm sure many others, are deeply shocked and saddened at this news. Denise was exactly as described in this email, and not only showed so much care for me as a student, but continued to show that love and care many years after I graduated in really lovely ways. Please let me know if there will be a public service, or if there's any way I can show support to her family." - Jessica Stern
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I'm so heartbroken to hear about this. I actually found myself thinking about Denise last week, for the first time in years, I had no idea she was sick. She was such a positive force for the LC music department and like a mother to us all. Sending love to the music department and to her family." - Michele Anderson
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I'm so sad that Denise has passed. I really appreciate y'all sending word to us. I can so vividly picture Denise in the office when I first toured Lewis & Clark and when I came back to audition for the music program. She was so, so helpful and so knowledgeable, I knew I was in good hands, because her energy and her soul were just right. And then I was so fortunate to have worked with her throughout my time as a student. Her smile is forever imprinted in my mind and memory. Thank you, again, for keeping us in the loop. Denise is and always will be missed, and she'll always be a part of the L&C music family. I'd love to know if and when there will be a celebration of life for her." - Cassie Beucherie
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"Just heard this news a couple days ago from Sue. Tragic. I look forward to more information about a celebration of life. Hugs to you and the LC community during this tough time." - Shohei Kobayashi
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"This is so sad. I loved working with Denise thank you for sharing the news. Sending love from my travels abroad." - Barra Brown
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"Truly devastating news .... she was simply a Goddess! I loved her very, very much." - Sophia Serghi
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I am so sad to hear the news. I will always carry very fond memories of Denise; she had such a warm and friendly personality. I do regret not having seen her since I left LC in 1990." - Harsha D. Abeyaratne
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"Thanks for letting us know. I'm really sorry to hear that. I will share this with others in my class." - Erik Yates
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"Such sad news. I adored Denise, and she was such a bright presence at the music department. She will be sorely missed!" - Ariel Estrada
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"This is tragic news indeed. Denise was insurmountable in her help with my entire college career, let alone in her assistance with the production of my thesis. I will always remember her spirit." - Wiley Wynne

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Recent Tributes
Susan McBerry
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
Here's to Denise who did everything from custodial to cleaning the kitchen, to answering all phone calls, to formatting all programs, to coordinating stage needs, to creating and editing programs, to planning faculty parties, providing support for faculty meetings, baby showers, wedding showers, to moving furniture, to ordering new furnishing for Seitz, to managing the building...... such as painting, the furnace, the window cleanings,etc.
Need I say more? Susan McBerry
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I am deeply sorry to learn about Denise's passing. I realize how close she was to everyone at the L&C Music department and I extend my condolences to the entire faculty during this time of grief. Please keep me informed about the schedule for the celebration of life. I cannot be certain about my schedule at this point but I would like to try to make plans to attend." - Chris Stevens
Susan Nunes
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019
"I, and I'm sure many others, are deeply shocked and saddened at this news. Denise was exactly as described in this email, and not only showed so much care for me as a student, but continued to show that love and care many years after I graduated in really lovely ways. Please let me know if there will be a public service, or if there's any way I can show support to her family." - Jessica Stern
View all 12 tributes
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