Henry Gerhardt

Enrique “Henry” Gerhardt, age 90, was born 2 August 1925 in Puerto de Luna, New Mexico and passed away peacefully on 24 September 2015 after a short stay at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque. Fiercely independent until the very end, Henry was living independently and alone. Three weeks ago he was still at home reveling in the delightful presence of his youngest grandchild Michael, chewing his tobacco, eating desert for dinner, and riding shotgun with his son Frank, supervising firsthand the goings on of the Gerhardt Ranch. A Navy Veteran of World War II, Henry Gerhardt was an avid outdoors-man, hunter, rancher, farmer, and loyal family man. He ran the school bus route from the Gerhardt Ranch to Santa Rosa. A man of leisure he was not, as always there was more work on the ranch than could be finished in any one day. On rare occasions, he would relax by an open fire with his delighted family around him and play his repertoire of polkas. Henry Gerhardt was the oldest son of Jose Benjamin and Juanita Griego Gerhardt of Puerto de Luna, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his wife Teodora Gutierrez Gerhardt, and four of his children: the oldest, a still born child, Joseph, Alice Martinez, Nancy Gerhardt, Peggy Gerhardt, son-in-law, Gabriel Rivera, and a grandson, baby Joseph Gerhardt, as well as a long list of siblings: Maggie, Ben, Odilia, Helen, Bill, Emma, John, Sophie and Willie. The oldest of twelve children, he is survived by two sisters, Patsy Gensler of Santa Rosa, NM and Julia Gerhardt of Kansas City, MO. Surviving children/spouses are Betty Gerhardt of Sedona, Arizona, Evelyn Rivera of Santa Rosa, Joe and Marcella Gerhardt of Puerto de Luna, Frank and Patricia Gerhardt of Puerto de Luna, Angie and Lawrence Apodaca of Puerto de Luna, and son-in-law Johnny Martinez. Surviving grandchildren are Gregory and Shawn Richards, Lawrence Gallegos, Anna Lucero Sanchez, Sunshine Zamora, Brenda Bryant, Juanita Wootton, Frances and Ben Gerhardt, Nicholas and Joseph Apodaca, Ryan and Joshua Madrid and Michael Joseph Gerhardt. Surviving great-grandchildren are Kyra and Savannah Richards, Reanna Urbano, Brooklyn, Skye and Marley Wootton, Robert and Adrianna Zamora, Elijah Bryant, Letty and Laycie Gerhardt, Daniel Zamora and Alexa Diaz. Rosary services for Henry will be held on Tuesday, September 29 at 10:00am at St. Rose of Lima Church with Mass of Christian burial to follow. Father Sotero Sena will be officiating. Following the Mass, Henry Gerhardt will be laid to rest under an open blue sky, in the wild and beautiful land of the Gerhardt Ranch that he loved so well. The Navy Color Guard will be conducting a ceremony of military honors as is fitting for a World War II Veteran. To further celebrate his life, in the military tradition of burials during the civil war, Michael Muniz will be on horseback, leading a riderless horse in a mute reminder of the fallen soldier. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Gerhardt, Bobby Gerhardt, Ben Gerhardt, Frances Gerhardt, Juanita Wootton, Sunshine Zamora, Ryan Madrid, Lawrence Apodaca, Nicholas and Joseph Apodaca and Michael Joseph Gerhardt. Immediately following the burial, family and friends are invited for a meal and a celebration of Henry Gerhardt’s life at the Catholic Center in Puerto De Luna. All services for Henry have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street, Santa Rosa, NM. (575) 472-3369. To place an online condolence please visit our website at www.chavezfuneralhome.com