Robert Joe Gerhardt

Robert Joe Gerhardt (Bob), 86, passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Northridge Special Care Center in Albuquerque surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 31, 1932, in Santa Rosa, NM to the home of Joe Jesse and Eugenia (Candelaria) Gerhardt.  Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Eugenia, his brothers Fred Gerhardt and Gilbert Gerhardt, and his nephews Leonard Garcia and Steve Garcia. Survivors include his wife Dolores Gerhardt of Albuquerque, his children Regina Stokes and husband Cary of Ruidoso, NM, Desiree Gerhardt of Albuquerque, NM, Denise Gerhardt of Scottsdale, AZ, Roberta Casados-Gonzalez and husband Albert Gonzalez of Placitas, NM, Michael Stines of Tirrenia-Pisa, Italy, and William Stines and wife Johnnie of Irving, TX.  Bob has three grandchildren, Lauren Turner, Rakim Stokes, and Leeanna Gerhardt. He is also survived by his sister Oma and husband Ezequiel Garcia of Albuquerque and sister-in-law Mary Gerhardt of Santa Rosa.  Bob has several nieces and nephews. Bob owned and operated Santa Rosa Ready Mix which later became Sierra Transit Mix, Inc for 46 years and thoroughly enjoyed his trade of road construction. His business operations began in Santa Rosa, NM and moved to Las Vegas, NM in the late 1970’s.  Bob valued all his employees throughout all 46 years of operation of Santa Rosa Ready Mix and Sierra Transit Mix, Inc. In 1990 Bob built the Comfort Inn in Las Vegas and owned and operated the property for 18 years.  In 1996 Bob built the Holiday Inn Express in Ruidoso, NM.  He owned and operated this property for 18 years as well. Bob served as County Commissioner for two terms of Guadalupe County in the 1960’s. Bob was awarded the Outstanding Rancher by the Guadalupe Soil and Water Conservation District. Bob was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Northern New Mexico.  He continuously supported his community and was a booster of Robertson High School, New Mexico Highlands University, and supported the local 4-H clubs and county fairs.  Bob enjoyed spending time at his ranch, Spring Valley Ranch, near Dilia, NM. Over the past 35 years, Bob has operated a successful cow/calf operation. Bob also enjoyed watching his racehorses run.  Bob’s horses ran in New Mexico, Oklahoma, California, and Texas.  Bob was a leading racehorse owner in New Mexico.  Bob also enjoyed spending time with his family at their Scottsdale, AZ home.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018, from 1-6 PM and Monday, July 9, 2018, from 1-5 PM at Chavez Funeral Home, Santa Rosa, NM and also an hour prior to the Rosary and Funeral Mass. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be on Monday, July 9, 2018, at 7 PM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 10 AM at Nuestra Senora Del Refugio Catholic Church in Puerto de Luna, NM with Father Christopher Bernabe as celebrant. Burial will take place at El Calvario Cemetery in Puerto de Luna with Danny Garcia, Michael Candelaria, Frank Gerhardt, Marcelino Ocana, Horacio Lopez, George James and Elmer Pacheco serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Emery Candelaria, Joe Candelaria, Gene Gerhardt, Dr. Dan Lopez, Bobby Cordova, Alfredo Flores, Beanie Montano, Willie Gallegos, Eddie Sena, Pat Montoya and Tony Crespin. Dolores and the entire family would like to thank Bob’s physicians at the Mayo Clinic of Scottsdale, the doctors, and nurses from Kindred Hospice of Albuquerque and the many caregivers at Northridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Albuquerque who graciously cared for Bob in his long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Services for Mr. Gerhardt have been entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369.