Amherst, MA – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dan Gerber. He was born in Great Neck, New York, to Peggy (Shea) and Don Gerber. It was on the North Shore of Long Island that Dan fell in love with sailing, a passion he carried with him throughout his life.
Dan was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, professor, and mentor. He consistently put the needs of others before his own and remained calm even in difficult circumstances. He was generous, assumed the best in people, and always had a kind word for everyone he met.
Dan was close to his two brothers. His youngest brother resides with his family in the longtime family home on Long Island. His older brother and family have lived close by for the past 30 years and have remained a constant presence in Dan, and his family’s, life.
Dan graduated from Great Neck North High School and went on to earn a B.S. from Buffalo State College, an M.P.H. from Hunter College, and an Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Dan joined the Peace Corps and spent two amazing years living in the Philippines, an experience that shaped the rest of his life. It was no surprise that his sense of adventure and commitment led him to work with Save the Children in Bangladesh and later in Indonesia.
Dan deeply valued loyalty and lifelong friendship. He remained close to his three best friends; two he met in college and one who grew up five doors down from his childhood home. They traveled together and stood by one another through life’s joys and its hardest moments including staying closely connected during Dan’s final months.
While serving as a three-month training director for Peace Corps Micronesia, Dan met the love of his life, Jen Dolan, who was completing her two-year Peace Corps service. Together they and their children, traveled the world, from Alaska to Zanzibar and many places in between.
Dan often said that his greatest accomplishment and legacy was his three children, now young adults. They have each forged their own paths and have embraced challenges and adventures. Some of his fondest memories include taking the family sailing, being down at the beach with them at Lake Wyola, and singing to them every night before they went to bed. Other fond memories include biking, Fenwick Island and sitting around a camp fire with his brothers and sisters in law.
During the final months of his life while in home hospice, all three of Dan’s children and their wonderful partners came together to care for him with selflessness, tireless devotion, and deep love. Dan was profoundly proud that his children are all hardworking, kind, ethical, adventurous, and able to choose truly remarkable partners.
Professionally, Dan found great fulfillment working at the UMass School of Public Health and Health Sciences as both a professor and associate dean. He made a lasting impact on his colleagues and students. He received numerous awards, including recognition for Outstanding Online Teaching and Excellence in Undergraduate Public Health Education. More important than his awards was hearing from former students thanking him for believing in them and for making a difference in their lives both professionally and personally. In his honor, a scholarship has been established to support students who learn best by doing and who aspire to pursue a career in public health.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Dan Gerber Public Health Experiential Scholarship Fund: https://www.tinyurl/com/mv4chdxr
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