Emeritus Eugene J. Bishop Gerber
April 30, 1931 ~ September 29, 2018
Bishop Emeritus Eugene J. Gerber, the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, died Saturday, Sept. 29 in Wichita. He was 87. He was bishop of the Diocese of Dodge City, Kansas, from 1976 to 1982, when he was named the ordinary for the Diocese of Wichita. He retired in 2001. Open-casket viewing will be available at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary from 2:00 - 8:00 pm, Sunday, Oct. 7; and after the noon Mass Monday, Oct. 8, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. Viewing begins at 1:30 p.m. and concludes at 6 p.m. An all-night vigil begins with solemn vespers at 6:30 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 8:30 p.m. Viewing and visitation will be possible until 9 a.m. Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Cathedral. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Ascension Cemetery in Wichita. Eugene John Gerber was born at a hospital in Kingman, Kansas, on April 30, 1931, to Cornelius and Lena Tiesmeyer Gerber. They lived on a farm at Waterloo about 10 miles east of Kingman. He was the fourth of seven children. He is preceded in death by brother Jerome, he is survived by Kathleen (Wilfred) Panek of Garden Plain, Helen Bergkamp of Wichita, Leola (Paul) Hageman of Pratt, Larry Gerber of Wichita, and Joan Gerber of Wichita. Two days after his birth, on May 1, Eugene was taken to St. Louis Church in Waterloo, where Father Bernard Garmann baptized him. He graduated from St. Louis School in Waterloo, a school staffed by Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. Eugene began high school studies in the fall of 1945 at Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. As the result of a football injury, he returned home and finished his high school education at Kingman High School where he graduated in 1949. After a year at Wichita University, he began studies for the priesthood at Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, and continued at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. He was ordained on May 19, 1959, at St. Patrick Church in Kingman by Bishop Mark K. Carroll. He served St. Anne and Church of the Magdalen parishes in Wichita before being named vice chancellor in 1961. Father Gerber taught religion at Mt. Carmel Academy from 1961 to 1963 when he was named an assistant at Holy Savior Parish in Wichita. He returned to the Chancery in 1963 as vice chancellor. The next year was named an assistant to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Wichita, and as assistant to Bishop David M. Maloney. Father Gerber was once again named vice chancellor in 1965. He served as business manager for the Catholic Advance beginning in 1967 and was named an assistant at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception the next year. In 1973 Father Gerber was named pastor of Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Wichita. He was named chancellor in 1975, while continuing as pastor of Blessed Sacrament. Several months after his appointment as chancellor in 1975, Bishop David M. Maloney announced that Father Gerber had been assigned to post-graduate studies in theology and scripture at the St. Thomas Pontifical University in Rome, known as the Angelicum. Father Gerber returned to Wichita in February 1976, after receiving a licentiate in theology. He was 45 years of age when he was appointed to serve as the third bishop of the Diocese of Dodge City. Bishop Gerber was ordained to the episcopacy on Dec. 14, 1976, by Bishop David Maloney at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. The following day, installation ceremonies were held in the Civic Center in Dodge City. Bishop Gerber was the first native of Kansas to lead the Dodge City diocese. On Nov. 23, 1982, after six years in Dodge City, Bishop Gerber was appointed to lead the Diocese of Wichita. He was installed Feb. 9, 1983, at Century II in Wichita. Bishop Gerber is best known for his oversight of the stewardship way of life in the diocese, the establishment and The Lords Diner, a food ministry founded on Feb. 14, 2002, that has served 5 million meals to the poor. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with: The Lords Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS, 67214; Spiritual Life Center Endowment, 7100 E. 45th St. N., Bel Aire, KS, 67226; Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Education Fund for Seminarians, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS, 67202; Newman University, Bishop Gerber Institute, 3100 McCormick, Wichita, KS 67213. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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Im so for your loss. May Jehovah give you comfort at this time of loss.
Ive known Bishop Gerber for many years and he was always my friend, moral compass and confidant. I will miss him very much!
Blaine and Missi Knott
Dearest Gerber family,
We have been blessed to have Bishop Gerber in our life since Christmas 94 in Wesley hospital. In those 4 months I was in the hospital we laughed together and cried together.
Since then the list of his friendship goes on and on and we will miss him very much. Most of all I will miss his big smile, stories of his past, random calls and letters, soft voice and to hear him pray over me.
He was a great blessing to me and my husband. We realize all the time he spent with us, he was away from all of you. Thank you for sharing him with us.
With Great Sympathy,
Steve and Pam McCaslin
Our family shares in your loss. He always have shown our family much kindness. Our family and the community will miss him for he has done great things,Im sure his was a first class ticket to Heaven.
Bishop Eugene Gerber was with my mom,my brother and sisters when my dad was in his final minutes of his life. Bishop Gene, thats what my family called him, was shut a comfort and a inspiration to my mom and my family. May 29, 2001.
My condolences to the family of Bishop Eugene Gerber. We were. Honored & blessed to attend his installation as Bishop for the Wichita Diocese. He was a great long time friend and he will truly be missed by our family.
In loving memory of a wonderful person. You inspired us and reminded us of the grace of faith.
He was a dear friend of our Regan family and was there for us when we needed his comfort during sad times and when just as a friend.
I will never forget when Msgr Regan died and at the cemetery as we in the last car to leave, Bishop Gerber stayed near the grave and we asked are you leaving and he told us he was staying awhile making sure Msgr reached his heavenly home.
Dear Bishop you are now with all your family and the priests that have gone before you.RIP
Bishop Gerber was a kind soul, he never knew a stranger. The first time I met him was at my schools confirmation. He knew how to make all of us kids laugh. Later in life I had the privilege to serve at a dinner social he was attending. He may have gotten older but he was still the same sweet man I remembered him to be. Bishop Gerber RIP. You received your heavenly wings, fly high, good and faithful servant.
Bishop Gerber, we were Blessed to have you as our Bishop. Their are not enough words to describe all the great things this diocese accomplished under your leadership. Rest in peace our good Shepherd. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bishop Gerber, was a very unique individual who became so personal to and with my family (My dad-Julio, My Uncles – Greg & Pete Caudillo). When my dad was in his last days, he made a special visit to the hospital, to visit and pray with him and my family. Bishop Gerber had a voice that you could not EVER FORGET!!! That smile, always gave the ‘Spiritual feeling’ that could give chills…RIP Bishop Gerber. My mom mentioned, the last time she saw and spoke to you, you told here she would get her crown someday, ‘she is willing to accept her crown’…
Bishop Gerber was a dear friend to my parents, back to their days at St Annes. When my Dad (Hank Edwards) died almost 30 years ago he was such a support to my Mother (Pat) and when she passed away in July, I was truly honored that he was there for her again. What a true and faithful servant of God!
Bishop Gerber had the personal touch with the common man. He never forgot his Kansas rural roots. He would stop in at our farm regularly and visit with my folks to see how they were doing. These visits were enjoyed and provided great memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with the extended Gerber Family during your time of loss and sorrow.
Andres Fraga and Catalina Fraga
and family
Bishop Gerber carried the light of Christ in his heart; and many hearts, including mine, have the light of Christ burning brightly because of his care and concern. Now he shines brightly with all the angels and saints above. I owe him a debt of gratitude. He was truly a loving Shepherd.
Bishop Gerber guided me through the most difficult times in my life. He showered me with kindness, understanding, compassion and an enormous amount of his valuable time. Bishop Gerber showed me the way when I didnt want to stay in this world. I will miss you, my dear Bishop. I will miss your wisdom, thoughtfulness and your friendship. I love you to Heaven and back. You have taken immaculate care of your flock, it is now time for you to rest. I will never forget you
God blessed our life with many years of his guidance. The V.J. Herman family.
Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done.
He was a wonderful religion teacher. He was a joyful and caring person who made a difference in many childrens life. I was one who had him as our priest at Magdalen and Mount Carmel. May he hold a special place in heaven and RIP.
My condolences to the Gerber family, and to the Church family of the Diocese of Wichita. I am unable to attend the funeral, but be assured of a remembrance in my poor prayers. He was a visionary, a good shepherd of souls, and a model bishop. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
May Bishop Gerber R.I.P.. I had the pleasure of meeting him when he was at St. Annes where my parents attended.
Bishop Gerber had a power given from our Father. When he started to talk to you, you would have a calm instantly come over you. I will never forget the power felt from this man. God bless you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Psalm 25:5
I met then Father Gerber as a 13 year old 8th grader at Magdalen where he was our parish priest and CYO advisor; then we renewed our friendship through both of our strong ties at Newmsn University. He was a truly remarkable man and I will hold him in my heart always. My deepest sympathies to his family.
It was our honor and privilege to know such a warm and loving man. Bishop Gerber was a blessing in our life and we shall miss his dearly. Love and prayers to his family.
Bishop Gerber knew my folks well at St. Anne Parish. Many years ago, I called the Bishop to administer the last rites to my mother. He came to the hospital with so much warmth and understanding. Such a wonderful man of God that will be dearly missed here and welcomed with open arms in Heaven.
I worked at Newman University for 7 years where Bishop Gerber did so much good for the University. He was such a inspirational man of God. He touched so many peoples lives. RIP Bishop Gerber
…….you wont be reading this with earthly eyes but wanted to say thank you for your boyhood kindness when I flunked 3rd grade. When all the other kids said to my dad “nyah nyah nyah, Kenneth flunked the 3rd grade”………you were the only one who said “Mr. Struble, Kenneth and I get to be together next year in the 3rd grade.” Also I thank you for teaching me how to whittle a whistle out of a willow tree limb we got from the banks of the Smoots creek east of the church. Cant name all the goodness you spread on earth. The Good Lord can and has. P.S. say hello to all the St. Louis Waterloo Saints including my onery cousin Fr. Louis Struble.
Bishop taught us what a friendship with Jesus looks like and acts like! What a blessing he was, and will always be, in our lives!
Truly a Saint. He had the warmth and presence unlike any person I ever meet. Just being in the same room you could feel his Saintly presence . I do not belong to the Church but will never forget Bishop Gerber. May he rest in peace.
Bishop Gerber was my friend and strength for all the years I knew him. I first met Bishop Gerber on All Saints Day, November 1, 2007, the day our first born baby went to heaven. Bishop Gerber came to the hospital to baptize and anoint our son. He was the only priest to ever hold and see my son and the only one outside our family to hold him as well. I know that I would of never been able to get through the unexpected loss of my baby if it werent for Bishop Gerber. Throughout the years we exchanged letters up until this year. Those correspondences filled me with hope and strength, and showed me the love and grace God has for all of us. Bishop Gerber never ever forgot my son, he called him by his name Michael III, and said he prayed to God, Mary and to Michael III for strength. I feel blessed beyond words that I knew Bishop Gerber and that my son received such gifts from him. I will never ever forget Bishop Gerber and what he did for myself and I know so many others. I find comfort thinking of my son meeting the kindest Bishop Gerber once again. Bishop Gerber you are loved and will be missed by myself and countless others. Love, Whitney
I first met Bishop Gerber when I was a grade schooler at St Pats, Great Bend. Such a nice, caring leader for us children, and a truly loving presence everywhere he went. Im so glad we got to have him as our bishop in the Dodge City diocese for even a short time!
My heart was full of sadness when I heard of Bishop Gerbers passing. He was a huge part of our family. When our mom was in her last days, Bishop Gerber would come and spend time with her, our dad, and our family and pray with us. He would put puzzles together with us, always keeping one piece so he could finish the puzzle and make it complete. Bishop Gerber was that complete package. Kindness, soft spoken, Jesus in his heart to the fullest, compassionate and full of love for his flock. A smile that wouldnt quit and just made you feel SO good all the time. His presence in a room was overwhelming. Bishop Gerber, you will be missed by many and loved by all. You will always be in our hearts. You have the straight ticket to Heaven. God bless you and your family as you have blessed all of us.
May he Rest in Peace. Amen
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.