Obituary of Robert Gerlach

Robert Arthur Gerlach was born on August 23rd, 1930 in Newark, New Jersey to parents Albert Rudolph Gerlach and Margaret Mae (Kail) Gerlach. Robert met the love of his life and future wife Janet Dayton (Welshans) Gerlach as they both worked at the Prudential Insurance Company while in High School. Robert received a bachelor of science in chemical engineering in June 1951 from Newark College of Engineering. He was a founding member and starter on their baseball team. Janet and Bob were married on June 27, 1953 at the Second Reformed Church in Irvington, New Jersey. They moved to Pittsburgh, PA until Bob was drafted into the Navy in 1955 when Janet moved back to New Jersey. Bob proudly served on the USS Daly DD-519 as a Fire Control-man and served in the Caribbean, around Africa, Middle East, and off the coast of Pakistan. The couple was reunited following his naval service, and returned to Pittsburgh in 1957. Bob attended Duquesne University at nights while working at the Westinghouse Electrical Company. He graduated from the school of Law obtaining a Juris Doctorate degree and practiced as a Patent Attorney for the rest of his career working for Mobay Chemical Company in Pittsburgh, PA, Xerox, Sybron, and Kodak in Rochester, NY. Over the next five years, Bob and Janet were blessed with three sons, Steven, Jeffrey, and David and in 1972, the family moved to Rochester, New York. Janet and Bob became members of Browncroft Community Church in 1978 and were involved in numerous ministries over the next two decades. Sadly Janet went to be with the Lord on Robert's birthday, August 23, 1999. While battling her terminal disease, Janet told Bob that after she passed he should marry her lifelong best friend Carol (Weber) Morrow. Bob and Carol were married on June 24, 2000 in South Park PA. They served others faithfully for many years at Webster Bible Church. Carol went to be with the Lord on 20 March, 2020. Robert will be missed greatly by his three sons Steve, Jeff, and David, their wives, Starla (Sienkiewycz) Gerlach, Theresa (Brennan) Gerlach, and Lisa (McIntosh) Gerlach and his 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, as well as stepdaughters Cynthia Hoyle Jones and Kimberly Ann Owen. We are sad with our father's passing, but we are comforted that as a result of his commitment to Jesus Christ, he is alive and at peace with Him. If you are inclined to make a charitable donation on behalf of our Dad, Robert A. Gerlach please consider the following organizations or one of your own choosing: Samaritan's Purse or the American Heart Association. We will celebrate Bob's life on Wednesday, August 10 at Webster Bible Church with a 10:00 visitation and 11:00 service. Following the service light refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow at Oakwood cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Philip F. Profetta.