Albert Edward "Al" "Eddy" Gerhardt, Jr.

AL GERHARDT passed away unexpectedly 11/21/17. Born in 1938 to Albert E. Gerhardt, Sr. and Kathleen (Nielsen) Gerhardt, Al was raised in Sebastopol, with his late sister, Susan (Gerhardt) Davis (Erwin), and brother, Dan Gerhardt (Shirley), and attended Green Valley School and Analy High School.  He married Pat Jessee in 1963, moved to Petaluma and raised 4 children, Kathe, Gerry (Jeanne’), Diana & the late Anna Marie. After Pat died, Al married Jan Smith in 2000, adding 3 more adult children to his family – Maureen, Jim & Tom. Together they realized his dream of living on his ranch near Occidental.  He was a machinist at OCLI for 30+ years until he retired.  That was just his job.  Being a life-long rancher was in his blood. His life was the land in whose soil he planted hay, the beef cattle that he raised, and the men who worked alongside him like his late Uncle Fred & the “Frank-Vic guys”. He loved being a part of Sonoma County Agriculture and was a great supporter of FFA & 4-H encouraging young future farmers to keep farming alive, participating in auctions and AG Days where he treasured seeing many little ones get their first glimpse of a tractor and farm animals up close. Al actively served on many local boards to protect and serve the local Ag community including 16 years as a Director of the Farm Bureau,  North Coast Livestock Protection Assoc., Sonoma County Taxpayer’s Assoc., and the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife to name a few.  He attended meetings locally/statewide ensuring his fellow ranchers/farmers were well represented and keeping govt. entities on their toes.  He was an active member of St. Philip’s in Occidental and worked tirelessly supporting their Rural Food Program. He enjoyed his membership in the So. Co. Trailblazers.  His niece described him as “the last of the cowboys” and he will be truly missed by his wife, children, family, and friends including his grandchildren, Shane, Nathan, Jessee, Ashleigh, Cody, Angela and Justin. Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass, Friday, January 12, 2017 at 1:00 PM at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Occidental, CA. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00 PM at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau 3589 Westwind Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA. Private Interment.  Memorial in Jan, 2018. Please consider donating to: Petaluma FFA Memorial Fund c/o Kim Arntz, 201 Fair St, Petaluma, 94952 or Sebastopol AG Boosters, PO Box 1034, Sebastopol, 95472, Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County, 3589 Westwind Blvd., Santa Rosa 95403, El Molino Ag Boosters, P.O. 141, Forestville, 95436, Elsie Allen FFA, 599 Bellevue Ave, Santa Rosa, 95407, Santa Rosa FFA Ag Department, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, 95403, Sonoma County Trail Blazers, P.O. Box 324, Santa Rosa, 95402, Youth Ag Leadership of Sonoma County(Formerly 4H Foundation), P.O. Box 1283, Rohnert Park, 94927