Claude Theodore Gerlach was the son of Theodore and Mary White Gerlach. He grew up in Philomath and married his wife Dorothy in 1937. He attended Oregon State University and completed his post-graduation internship at Coos Bay Pharmacy. He moved to Springfield in 1937 and opened Gerlach Drug Store. Claude Gerlach was the mayor of Springfield from 1945 to 1948. Claude and Dorothy had a daughter Janet Gerlach Tracy and a son, Raymond Lee Gerlach.
~~~
The Eugene Register-Guard
Lane County, Oregon
January 23, 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach
1913 – 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach, of Springfield, Oregon died January 18, 2014 at the age of 100. Claude was born in Philomath, Oregon, April 4, 1913 to Mary White Gerlach and Theodore H. Gerlach. He attended a one-room school in North Bend, graduated from Coquille High School, and in 1934 graduated from the School of Pharmacy at Oregon State College, where he met his wife to be, Dorothy Holly. They were married in 1937 in Adrian, Oregon. After working as a pharmacist for four years he purchased a Springfield drug store at the corner of 5th and Main Street later known as Gerlach's Drug Store. Claude had two children, Raymond and Janet. Claude was mayor of Springfield 1945 – 1948. Ed Harms, former mayor, credited Claude “with being the father of modern city government in Springfield.” Claude contributed greatly to the developing community in Springfield. He was a charter member of the Springfield Rotary, serving as president 1955-1956, past Patron of the Eastern Star, member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Masons and Hillah Temple of the Shrine, charter member of the Elks Club and Springfield Country Club, District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, member for ten years of the Selective Service Board, and trustee of the Red Cross, Community Chest, and McKenzie Willamette Hospital. In 1993 the Springfield Chamber of Commerce awarded Claude its Distinguished Citizen Award “in recognition of your long-time commitment and exceptional service to the Springfield Community.” Claude was a Registered Pharmacist for over 50 years and owned Gerlach' Drug Store for 34 years. He was a member of the Retail Druggists Association and organized the Lane County Pharmacists Association. He was awarded the Bowl of Hygea Award for outstanding community service to the State of Oregon and was recognized nationally. He was an avid OSU Beaver Club booster, and an enthusiastic fly fisherman, hunter and camper. In retirement he could be found on the golf course or making furniture in his woodworking shop. For sixty years, Claude and Dorothy spent many weekends and trips in their RV, including travel across North America, Europe and Asia. Claude was a member of the Ebbert Memorial Church for over 65 years and served as a trustee and on many commissions. Dorothy, his beloved wife of 74 years, died in 2011. Raymond, his son, died in 1999. He leaves his daughter Janet Gerlach Tracy, daughter-in-law Ila Gerlach, grandchildren Lisa Gerlach Barrong, Tracy Gerlach Thompson, Shelley Gerlach, John S. Mason, Holly Mason Macy; great-grandchildren Jody Barrong Williams, Kyle Barrong, Haley Barrong, Tanner Barrong, Lisa Junge, Tyler Junge, Scott Junge, Connor Mayberry, Noah Mason, Joshua Mason, Emma Mason, Agnes Macy and Clinton Macy. A memorial service will be held at the end of July when all of Claude's family will be able to participate. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ebbert Memorial Church Endowment Fund.
~~~
Obituary contributed by Richard Carle
~~~
The Eugene Register-Guard
Lane County, Oregon
January 23, 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach
1913 – 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach, of Springfield, Oregon died January 18, 2014 at the age of 100. Claude was born in Philomath, Oregon, April 4, 1913 to Mary White Gerlach and Theodore H. Gerlach. He attended a one-room school in North Bend, graduated from Coquille High School, and in 1934 graduated from the School of Pharmacy at Oregon State College, where he met his wife to be, Dorothy Holly. They were married in 1937 in Adrian, Oregon. After working as a pharmacist for four years he purchased a Springfield drug store at the corner of 5th and Main Street later known as Gerlach's Drug Store. Claude had two children, Raymond and Janet. Claude was mayor of Springfield 1945 – 1948. Ed Harms, former mayor, credited Claude “with being the father of modern city government in Springfield.” Claude contributed greatly to the developing community in Springfield. He was a charter member of the Springfield Rotary, serving as president 1955-1956, past Patron of the Eastern Star, member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Masons and Hillah Temple of the Shrine, charter member of the Elks Club and Springfield Country Club, District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, member for ten years of the Selective Service Board, and trustee of the Red Cross, Community Chest, and McKenzie Willamette Hospital. In 1993 the Springfield Chamber of Commerce awarded Claude its Distinguished Citizen Award “in recognition of your long-time commitment and exceptional service to the Springfield Community.” Claude was a Registered Pharmacist for over 50 years and owned Gerlach' Drug Store for 34 years. He was a member of the Retail Druggists Association and organized the Lane County Pharmacists Association. He was awarded the Bowl of Hygea Award for outstanding community service to the State of Oregon and was recognized nationally. He was an avid OSU Beaver Club booster, and an enthusiastic fly fisherman, hunter and camper. In retirement he could be found on the golf course or making furniture in his woodworking shop. For sixty years, Claude and Dorothy spent many weekends and trips in their RV, including travel across North America, Europe and Asia. Claude was a member of the Ebbert Memorial Church for over 65 years and served as a trustee and on many commissions. Dorothy, his beloved wife of 74 years, died in 2011. Raymond, his son, died in 1999. He leaves his daughter Janet Gerlach Tracy, daughter-in-law Ila Gerlach, grandchildren Lisa Gerlach Barrong, Tracy Gerlach Thompson, Shelley Gerlach, John S. Mason, Holly Mason Macy; great-grandchildren Jody Barrong Williams, Kyle Barrong, Haley Barrong, Tanner Barrong, Lisa Junge, Tyler Junge, Scott Junge, Connor Mayberry, Noah Mason, Joshua Mason, Emma Mason, Agnes Macy and Clinton Macy. A memorial service will be held at the end of July when all of Claude's family will be able to participate. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ebbert Memorial Church Endowment Fund.
~~~
Obituary contributed by Richard Carle
Claude Theodore Gerlach was the son of Theodore and Mary White Gerlach. He grew up in Philomath and married his wife Dorothy in 1937. He attended Oregon State University and completed his post-graduation internship at Coos Bay Pharmacy. He moved to Springfield in 1937 and opened Gerlach Drug Store. Claude Gerlach was the mayor of Springfield from 1945 to 1948. Claude and Dorothy had a daughter Janet Gerlach Tracy and a son, Raymond Lee Gerlach.
~~~
The Eugene Register-Guard
Lane County, Oregon
January 23, 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach
1913 – 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach, of Springfield, Oregon died January 18, 2014 at the age of 100. Claude was born in Philomath, Oregon, April 4, 1913 to Mary White Gerlach and Theodore H. Gerlach. He attended a one-room school in North Bend, graduated from Coquille High School, and in 1934 graduated from the School of Pharmacy at Oregon State College, where he met his wife to be, Dorothy Holly. They were married in 1937 in Adrian, Oregon. After working as a pharmacist for four years he purchased a Springfield drug store at the corner of 5th and Main Street later known as Gerlach's Drug Store. Claude had two children, Raymond and Janet. Claude was mayor of Springfield 1945 – 1948. Ed Harms, former mayor, credited Claude “with being the father of modern city government in Springfield.” Claude contributed greatly to the developing community in Springfield. He was a charter member of the Springfield Rotary, serving as president 1955-1956, past Patron of the Eastern Star, member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Masons and Hillah Temple of the Shrine, charter member of the Elks Club and Springfield Country Club, District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, member for ten years of the Selective Service Board, and trustee of the Red Cross, Community Chest, and McKenzie Willamette Hospital. In 1993 the Springfield Chamber of Commerce awarded Claude its Distinguished Citizen Award “in recognition of your long-time commitment and exceptional service to the Springfield Community.” Claude was a Registered Pharmacist for over 50 years and owned Gerlach' Drug Store for 34 years. He was a member of the Retail Druggists Association and organized the Lane County Pharmacists Association. He was awarded the Bowl of Hygea Award for outstanding community service to the State of Oregon and was recognized nationally. He was an avid OSU Beaver Club booster, and an enthusiastic fly fisherman, hunter and camper. In retirement he could be found on the golf course or making furniture in his woodworking shop. For sixty years, Claude and Dorothy spent many weekends and trips in their RV, including travel across North America, Europe and Asia. Claude was a member of the Ebbert Memorial Church for over 65 years and served as a trustee and on many commissions. Dorothy, his beloved wife of 74 years, died in 2011. Raymond, his son, died in 1999. He leaves his daughter Janet Gerlach Tracy, daughter-in-law Ila Gerlach, grandchildren Lisa Gerlach Barrong, Tracy Gerlach Thompson, Shelley Gerlach, John S. Mason, Holly Mason Macy; great-grandchildren Jody Barrong Williams, Kyle Barrong, Haley Barrong, Tanner Barrong, Lisa Junge, Tyler Junge, Scott Junge, Connor Mayberry, Noah Mason, Joshua Mason, Emma Mason, Agnes Macy and Clinton Macy. A memorial service will be held at the end of July when all of Claude's family will be able to participate. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ebbert Memorial Church Endowment Fund.
~~~
Obituary contributed by Richard Carle
~~~
The Eugene Register-Guard
Lane County, Oregon
January 23, 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach
1913 – 2014
Claude Theodore Gerlach, of Springfield, Oregon died January 18, 2014 at the age of 100. Claude was born in Philomath, Oregon, April 4, 1913 to Mary White Gerlach and Theodore H. Gerlach. He attended a one-room school in North Bend, graduated from Coquille High School, and in 1934 graduated from the School of Pharmacy at Oregon State College, where he met his wife to be, Dorothy Holly. They were married in 1937 in Adrian, Oregon. After working as a pharmacist for four years he purchased a Springfield drug store at the corner of 5th and Main Street later known as Gerlach's Drug Store. Claude had two children, Raymond and Janet. Claude was mayor of Springfield 1945 – 1948. Ed Harms, former mayor, credited Claude “with being the father of modern city government in Springfield.” Claude contributed greatly to the developing community in Springfield. He was a charter member of the Springfield Rotary, serving as president 1955-1956, past Patron of the Eastern Star, member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Masons and Hillah Temple of the Shrine, charter member of the Elks Club and Springfield Country Club, District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, member for ten years of the Selective Service Board, and trustee of the Red Cross, Community Chest, and McKenzie Willamette Hospital. In 1993 the Springfield Chamber of Commerce awarded Claude its Distinguished Citizen Award “in recognition of your long-time commitment and exceptional service to the Springfield Community.” Claude was a Registered Pharmacist for over 50 years and owned Gerlach' Drug Store for 34 years. He was a member of the Retail Druggists Association and organized the Lane County Pharmacists Association. He was awarded the Bowl of Hygea Award for outstanding community service to the State of Oregon and was recognized nationally. He was an avid OSU Beaver Club booster, and an enthusiastic fly fisherman, hunter and camper. In retirement he could be found on the golf course or making furniture in his woodworking shop. For sixty years, Claude and Dorothy spent many weekends and trips in their RV, including travel across North America, Europe and Asia. Claude was a member of the Ebbert Memorial Church for over 65 years and served as a trustee and on many commissions. Dorothy, his beloved wife of 74 years, died in 2011. Raymond, his son, died in 1999. He leaves his daughter Janet Gerlach Tracy, daughter-in-law Ila Gerlach, grandchildren Lisa Gerlach Barrong, Tracy Gerlach Thompson, Shelley Gerlach, John S. Mason, Holly Mason Macy; great-grandchildren Jody Barrong Williams, Kyle Barrong, Haley Barrong, Tanner Barrong, Lisa Junge, Tyler Junge, Scott Junge, Connor Mayberry, Noah Mason, Joshua Mason, Emma Mason, Agnes Macy and Clinton Macy. A memorial service will be held at the end of July when all of Claude's family will be able to participate. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ebbert Memorial Church Endowment Fund.
~~~
Obituary contributed by Richard Carle
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