In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Bill Gerberich

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Emeritus Bill Gerberich, a cherished member of the CEMS community. Bill was a key part of the materials science program for many years and made lasting contributions to the field of nanomechanics. His profound impact on students, colleagues, and the broader scientific community will be deeply missed. A visitation and funeral will take place on the morning of November 1 at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to those who were part of Bill's remarkable legacy in teaching, research, and mentorship. His full obituary can be read below.


William Warren Gerberich (Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University  of Minnesota), deceased 10/11/2024, was born in Wooster, Ohio (1935), and was educated at Case  Institute of Technology (BS) Syracuse University (MS), and University of California – Berkeley (PhD). 

Internationally recognized as an expert in Materials Science, he commenced his career, in 1959, at the  Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where he worked on NASA-related research, including  application of materials for moon explorations. This was followed by experiences at Ford Aeroneutronic in  Newport Beach, California, working on materials for outer space and studies on rocket ships and Aerojet  General in Sacramento, California, where he became further engaged in rocket-related research.  Subsequently, he was recruited to the University of California – Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley  National Laboratory by Professor Earl Parker and Professor Victor Zackay with whom he had written  scientific papers and who, with Professor Hans Conrad, became his mentors for completion of his PhD  degree. 

Following completion of the doctoral degree, he accepted a faculty position at the University of  Minnesota, in 1971, in what is now known as the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials  Science. This led to a prestigious 44-year academic career, resulting in over 500 publications associated  with his extensive research program, involving approximately 135 students, primarily, PhD. Associated  consulting led to many interesting materials integrity investigations, including the: World Trade Center  during construction; Shoreview, MN television tower collapse; many medical-related device failures;  pipeline failures; other equipment failures; and national laboratory-related investigations. 

He served in numerous leadership positions for materials-related societies and journals. Awards included:  Fellow of the American Society of Metals (1986) and The Materials Research Society (2012-2024). As a  finale to his extensive career, “Science of Material Dislocations,” is engraved on his gravestone!  

Dr. Gerberich, the son of Harold Robert Gerberich and Clarissa Ross Gerberich (deceased), is  predeceased by his wife Dr. Susan Goodwin Gerberich (Professor Emerita). Despite the fact that their first  date started in his laboratory to check on a materials fracture experiment, their marriage survived 63  years. He is survived by his sister, Judith Gerberich Buhmeyer and brother-in-law, Gary Buhmeyer;  brother, Harold Robert Gerberich, Jr.(pre-deceased) and sister-in-law, Veronica (Ronnie) Gerberich; sons  and daughters-in-law, Dr. Bradley Kent and Amanda Lujan Gerberich and Brian Keith and Montine Green  Gerberich, and his daughter and son-in-law, Beth Clarice Gerberich and Darryl Cheney; grandchildren,  Sophia Jane Gerberich, Kasan Jarren Zayas, and Brent Cheney (Elizabeth) and Erin Cheney (Richard  Lawless); great-grandchildren, Charles Theodore and Oliver Lincoln Cheney.; and several nieces and  nephews. He is incredibly proud of his family and most grateful for all of their love and support. Further  important are his former Master’s and Doctoral students who were also an integral portion of his life and  for which there is also great pride in their successes. 

A Celebration of Life, in concert with a reception, will be held Friday November 1st, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at  the Lakewood Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum Chapel and Reception Center, 3600 Hennepin Avenue,  Minneapolis, MN 55408. Interment will be at: the Lakewood Cemetery. (Funeral Home: Washburn McReavy, 5000 West 50th St. Edina, MN 55436)  

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations for: 

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