Wilhelm  "Wil" Gerhardt Jr passed away peacefully at the hospital with his wife and son both at his bedside on Friday, February 6, 2026.

He was born October 21, 1940 in the German village of Liebling, Romania, where he was baptized into the Lutheran faith to parents Wilhelm and Elisabeth (nee Spirk) and 3 years later on his birthday was joined by his brother Heinrich / Henry.

After fleeing Romania in late WWII, his family lived as refugees in Austria until immigrating to The United States to settle in St. Louis in 1952.  At age 21, Wil was proud to become a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Wilhelm attended Lutheran Central High School in St. Louis where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife of 61 years, Ruth (nee Fuelle), who survives him along with their three children, Lori (James) Sabo, Lisa (Blaine) Yesel, and Karl Gerhardt, as well as grandson, Ace Yesel.

Wil obtained his bachelors of Science in Electrical engineering from the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (University of Missouri, Rolla, now Missouri University of Science and Technology), where he was a member of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity, and he enjoyed a fruitful career working at McDonnell Douglas and Boeing where, among other projects, he worked on both the Gemini Space program and the International Space Station.

Wil loved the outdoors &wildlife and enjoyed hunting, fishing, tennis, and golfing. He was a skilled handyman & mechanic.  Throughout his life he had various hobbies such as aquarium & pond fish, reading, and playing bridge with his college friends.  He was particularly skilled at electronics, and he designed and built his own multimeter and an oscilloscope.  Additionally, whether it was on a stove, in an oven, or on a BBQ or rotisserie, Wil was an amazing cook, and every Sunday meal after church was a special occasion.

For Wil, family was key.  What he loved and valued above all things was his wife, children, and grandchild.  They were his pride and joy and there was nothing he wouldn't do or sacrifice for them.

Visitation will be at Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur 63141 on Sunday, February 15 from 4-8PM.  Service at Ortmann Stipanovich on Monday, February 16 at 1:30PM followed by burial at Oak Hil Cemetery.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
www.osfuneralhomes.com