William Warren Gerberich

William Warren Gerberich (Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota), deceased 10/11/2024, was born in Wooster, Ohio (1935), and was educated at Case Institute of Technology (BS) Syracuse University (MS), and University of California - Berkeley (PhD). Internationally recognized as an expert in Materials Science, he commenced his career, in 1959, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where he worked on NASA-related research, including application of materials for moon explorations. This was followed by experiences at Ford Aeroneutronic in Newport Beach, California, working on materials for outer space and studies on rocket ships and Aerojet General in Sacramento, California, where he became further engaged in rocket-related research. Subsequently, he was recruited to the University of California - Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory by Professor Earl Parker and Professor Victor Zackay with whom he had written scientific papers and who, with Professor Hans Conrad, became his mentors for completion of his PhD degree. Following completion of the doctoral degree, he accepted a faculty position at the University of Minnesota, in 1971, in what is now known as the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. This led to a prestigious 44-year academic career, resulting in over 500 publications associated with his extensive research program, involving approximately 135 students, primarily, PhD. Associated consulting led to many interesting materials integrity investigations, including the: World Trade Center during construction; Shoreview, MN television tower collapse; many medical-related device failures; pipeline failures; other equipment failures; and national laboratory-related investigations. He served in numerous leadership positions for materials-related societies and journals. Awards included: Fellow of the American Society of Metals (1986) and The Materials Research Society (2012-2024). As a finale to his extensive career, "Science of Material Dislocations," is engraved on his gravestone! Dr. Gerberich, the son of Harold Robert Gerberich and Clarissa Ross Gerberich (deceased), is predeceased by his wife Dr. Susan Goodwin Gerberich (Professor Emerita). Despite the fact that their first date started in his laboratory to check on a materials fracture experiment, their marriage survived 63 years. He is survived by his sister, Judith Gerberich Buhmeyer and brother-in-law, Gary Buhmeyer; brother, Harold Robert Gerberich, Jr.(pre-deceased) and sister-in-law, Veronica (Ronnie) Gerberich; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Bradley Kent and Amanda Lujan Gerberich and Brian Keith and Montine Green Gerberich, and his daughter and son-in-law, Beth Clarice Gerberich and Darryl Cheney; grandchildren, Sophia Jane Gerberich, Kasan Jarren Zayas, and Brent Cheney (Elizabeth) and Erin Cheney (Richard Lawless); great-grandchildren, Charles Theodore and Oliver Lincoln Cheney.; and several nieces and nephews. He is incredibly proud of his family and most grateful for all of their love and support. Further important are his former Master's and Doctoral students who were also an integral portion of his life and for which there is also great pride in their successes. A Celebration of Life, in concert with a reception, will be held Friday November 1st, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lakewood Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum Chapel and Reception Center, 3600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Interment will be at: the Lakewood Cemetery. (Funeral Home: Washburn-McReavy, 5000 West 50th St. Edina, MN 55436) In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations for: • University of Minnesota Foundation Fund #21734 William Warren Gerberich Faculty Fund (The Fund and any holders of the named position supported by this Fund will be referred to as the William Warren Gerberich Chair in Materials Science - Endowed Professorship https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/fund.html?id=21734 • University of Minnesota Foundation Endowment Fund #6267 William Warren Gerberich Fellowship In The Solid Mechanics Of Plasticity (for the support of Graduate Students) https://makingagift.umn.edu/donate/fund-contact-info.html?&fundCode=6267#formstep-1 • Donor's Charity of Choice

Tributes

William Warren Gerberich

December 30, 1935 - October 11, 2024

Tributes

William Warren Gerberich

December 30, 1935 - October 11, 2024

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