William H. Gerber MD

Dr. William H. Gerber M.D. Dr. William H. Gerber M.D. passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2013 in West Hartford, Connecticut of complications associated with prostate cancer. Bill was born in 1937, the son of Hermann Gerber and Pauline Gerber (nee Stalzer). He grew up on City Island New York, considered by many to be the boating capital of New York City. His father constructed custom-built racing sailboats. After completing his education at Cornell University and the Heidelberg University Faculty of Medicine, Bill accepted a residency in 1968 in obstetrics and gynecology at Hartford Hospital. After receiving his board certification he, along with Dr. Robert C. Emmel, M.D., co-founded a practice of obstetrics and gynecology in West Hartford from which he retired in 1998. Bill always had a great interest in the arts and education in the greater Hartford area. Over the course of the years, he served on the board of directors/trustees and supported many organizations including: Connecticut Opera Association; Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Chamber Music Plus; Renbrook School; Miss Porter’s School; Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford; New England Cognitive Center; Christian Activities Council and The Village for Families and Children. After retirement, he continued to be engaged as a volunteer physician with the Malta House of Care, which dispenses primary care to the urban uninsured. He took great pleasure in this capacity. Not only did he share his medical expertise with his patients but also was enriched by learning of their life experiences. Bill is survived by his partner, Prof. Gene J. Gort of West Hartford, his former wife Dr. Joanna S.Gerber, M.D. of West Hartford, his daughter Christina L. Gerber of New York City, and his sister Margaret Gerber Benedini and her husband Atty. Ernesto Benedini of Lugano, Switzerland. Thanks to Dr.’s Upendra Hegde and John Menoutis for the excellent care they provided in recent years, always making time for Bill. Special thanks to Bill’s good friends and the administration and health care personnel at the McLean Hospice for making Bill’s end of life as comfortable and peaceful as possible. A service celebrating the life of William H. Gerber will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11 a.m., at the Immanuel Congregational Church, corner of Farmington Avenue and Woodland Street, Hartford. Contributions/Donations can be made in his honor to the Malta House of Care Foundation, 19 Woodland Street, Suite 37, Hartford, CT 06105 or a charity of your choice.