Paul Alexander Gerhard, 1943-1969

Publication Year: 1969.

PAUL ALEXANDER GERHARD

1943 - 1969

Paul Gerhard was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on January 15, 1943. He graduated with honors from the University of Maryland and later attended the University of California at Berkeley on Woodrow Wilson and National Science Foundation grants. He was a member of the American Alpine Club, the Sierra Club and the National Ski Patrol. He chose mathematics as his field for its interesting and creative challenge. An ardent mountaineer, rock climber and skier, he found these sports provided a welcome way of life away from work and academics. He climbed in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe, as well as leading one expedition to Alaska and taking part in another. While at the University of Maryland, he and a friend in a summer hiked the Appalachian Trial from Georgia to Maine.

Paul lived life as it came, not planning far in advance. He had no desire to be a slave to a time schedule. He chose a way of life for the creative freedom it would allow. He was bound by principle to do what he enjoyed doing and in this way found much in life and in living. He was a most enjoyable companion and always strove to maintain an equitable balance between the academic and the physical endeavor. Such was his mettle.

Steven Altman