Richard Gertsch Obituary

Richard Edward Gertsch, of Houghton, MI., formerly of Security, died of natural causes Tuesday, August 30, 2005, in Virginia, MN. He was 60. He was born February 21, 1945, in Oak Park, IL, to E.A. (Dick) Gertsch and Mildred Strnad. He Married Leslie Sour in 1988. Mr. Gertsch graduated from the University of Colorado with a history degree. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mining engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, where he also taught. He taught at the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he earned a Ph.D. in mining engineering, before going to Michigan Technological University as an associate professor. At the time of his death, he was working in Minnesota on a research project. He served in the Navy 1969-1972 and in the naval reserve, retiring as a captain. He interests included space exploration, history, photography, and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Leslie Gertsch, of Rolla, MO; his mother, of Security; and a brother, John Gertsch, of Boulder. He was preceded in death by his father. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church on Kiowa at 1:00 p.m. Friday.