Allan Gerard passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024 after gracing the world with his presence for 89 years.
Born on February 2, 1935 in NYC, Allan was both a true groundhog (no comment) and the quintessential New Yorker. He also found a love of nature, spending summers at the family vacation home in Lake Mahopac, New York.
A life long lover of learning, Allan’s motto was, “Keep learning until your last breath”. He earned his first degree in Electrical Engineering from CCNY. Following the draft and completing his service in the Army he returned to earn advanced degrees MSEE from Columbia University, where he also received a grant from the medical school. He also taught physics at Brooklyn College, while working full time during the day.
Allan’s future wife Ronnie picked him on a NYC subway in November 1959 and prophesied their marriage on the 2nd date. On August 21,1960, Allan and Ronnie were married.
They began their marriage in a 5th floor Manhattan walk up, eventually living in New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado and Connecticut. Between 1969-1971 Allan, Ronnie and their 16 month old daughter, Kendall spent 2.5 years living on Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific where Allan worked on the Anti-Ballistic missile system SAFEGUARD. He was especially proud of SAFEGUARD’s contribution in persuading the USSR to enter into the 1st SALT disarmament agreement. During his long and successful career, Allan worked at Univac, Bell Labs and ITT, eventually founding his own private consulting business.
Allan’s love of learning also translated into a love of travel. In the mid-1960’s Allan and Ronnie began their lifetime of global exploration and actually roamed Europe on their own for a month using “Europe on $5 Day “ as a guide. This led to jaunts through 70 countries over the years resulting in amazing friendships and memories to last a lifetime. After retiring, he went to China in 2006 to teach English at Guangxi Normal University in Guilin.
In retirement, Allan continued to share his love of learning, attending visiting professor lectures at CU, on topics ranging from biology, cosmology, archeology and advance physics; as well as leading discussions on the advent of AI to non IT dept’s. He even found time to be President of the Winding Trail Village HOA for several years.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Allan, ever the “Renaissance Man,” taught himself guitar, pursued silversmithing, was an avid sailor and scuba diver, earned a private pilot’s license, and enjoyed canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting. He was also a dedicated photographer, often leveraging his travels as subjects for his art.
Allan surrounded himself in life with his loving wife, Ronnie Gerard, son David Gerard, daughter Kendall Gelfand and son-in-law Douglas Gelfand as well as his grand dogs Whisper and Teddy. He is survived by his sister, Hazel Greenberg; as well as In-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. He was so proud of being honorary grandpa to Angie Tang in China, Cosima and Ferdinand Born in Hamburg, Germany and Zora DeVos in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His family will miss him dearly.
In accordance with Allan’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the mountains he loved along with with his son Russell, who preceded him in passing 27 years ago.
We look forward to celebrating his life with you at Frasier Meadows 350 Ponca Place Boulder, CO on March 30th at 2 PM.
A memorial donation in Allan’s name can be made to TRU Community Care, American Cancer Society, St. Judes Hospital for Children, Davis Phinney Foundation or a charity of your choice.
His life is measured by the countless number of beloved friends, colleagues and students who remember him with admiration, gratitude and love.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Allan Gerard, please visit our flower store.
Born on February 2, 1935 in NYC, Allan was both a true groundhog (no comment) and the quintessential New Yorker. He also found a love of nature, spending summers at the family vacation home in Lake Mahopac, New York.
A life long lover of learning, Allan’s motto was, “Keep learning until your last breath”. He earned his first degree in Electrical Engineering from CCNY. Following the draft and completing his service in the Army he returned to earn advanced degrees MSEE from Columbia University, where he also received a grant from the medical school. He also taught physics at Brooklyn College, while working full time during the day.
Allan’s future wife Ronnie picked him on a NYC subway in November 1959 and prophesied their marriage on the 2nd date. On August 21,1960, Allan and Ronnie were married.
They began their marriage in a 5th floor Manhattan walk up, eventually living in New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado and Connecticut. Between 1969-1971 Allan, Ronnie and their 16 month old daughter, Kendall spent 2.5 years living on Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific where Allan worked on the Anti-Ballistic missile system SAFEGUARD. He was especially proud of SAFEGUARD’s contribution in persuading the USSR to enter into the 1st SALT disarmament agreement. During his long and successful career, Allan worked at Univac, Bell Labs and ITT, eventually founding his own private consulting business.
Allan’s love of learning also translated into a love of travel. In the mid-1960’s Allan and Ronnie began their lifetime of global exploration and actually roamed Europe on their own for a month using “Europe on $5 Day “ as a guide. This led to jaunts through 70 countries over the years resulting in amazing friendships and memories to last a lifetime. After retiring, he went to China in 2006 to teach English at Guangxi Normal University in Guilin.
In retirement, Allan continued to share his love of learning, attending visiting professor lectures at CU, on topics ranging from biology, cosmology, archeology and advance physics; as well as leading discussions on the advent of AI to non IT dept’s. He even found time to be President of the Winding Trail Village HOA for several years.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Allan, ever the “Renaissance Man,” taught himself guitar, pursued silversmithing, was an avid sailor and scuba diver, earned a private pilot’s license, and enjoyed canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting. He was also a dedicated photographer, often leveraging his travels as subjects for his art.
Allan surrounded himself in life with his loving wife, Ronnie Gerard, son David Gerard, daughter Kendall Gelfand and son-in-law Douglas Gelfand as well as his grand dogs Whisper and Teddy. He is survived by his sister, Hazel Greenberg; as well as In-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. He was so proud of being honorary grandpa to Angie Tang in China, Cosima and Ferdinand Born in Hamburg, Germany and Zora DeVos in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His family will miss him dearly.
In accordance with Allan’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the mountains he loved along with with his son Russell, who preceded him in passing 27 years ago.
We look forward to celebrating his life with you at Frasier Meadows 350 Ponca Place Boulder, CO on March 30th at 2 PM.
A memorial donation in Allan’s name can be made to TRU Community Care, American Cancer Society, St. Judes Hospital for Children, Davis Phinney Foundation or a charity of your choice.
His life is measured by the countless number of beloved friends, colleagues and students who remember him with admiration, gratitude and love.
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A memorial donation in Allan’s name can be made to TRU Community Care, American Cancer Society, St. Judes Hospital for Children, Davis Phinney Foundation or a charity of your choice.
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