Carl William Gehrs

Dr. Carl William Gehrs, age 72, of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, Aug. 1, at his home.

He was born May 4, 1941, in Elmhurst, Ill., the son of Carl John and Pearl Hitzke Gehrs and grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago: Westmont and Lombard, where his father was a Lutheran teacher. The first 16 years of his education were in Lutheran schools, and it was at Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, Ill., that he met his future wife, Judith Diane Hein.

Following graduation, they were married and taught in Chicago. He taught biology and later became dean of students at Luther High School South, where he also helped coach football. They later lived in Kansas and Oklahoma as he continued his education. After receiving his PhD, the family moved to Oak Ridge in 1972. He worked at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory until 1999, retiring as director of the Center for Biotechnology.

Dr. Gehrs was a long-time member of Faith Lutheran Church, where he served on numerous boards and held a variety of positions in the church. In earlier years, as nature lovers, he and his wife enjoyed visiting and hiking in national parks. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed playing golf.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife in 1999; infant daughter, Julie; and half-sister, Kimberley Howling.

He is survived by his stepmother, Margaret Gehrs of Lombard, Ill.; son, Dr. Bradley Gehrs and wife Mary Anne of Edmond, Okla.; daughters, Dr. Mindy Gehrs and husband Heath Beaver of Lyons, Colo., and Kellie Gaetz of Clinton; sister, Pauline Gehrs of Oak Ridge; brother-in-law, Jack Hein of Elgin, Ill.; four grandchildren, twins, Alex and Ashley Gaetz of Clinton and their father Daniel Gaetz, and Nathaniel and Benjamin Gehrs of Edmond, Okla.; and several aunts, nephews, and nieces.

The family received friends Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 12 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, with Rev. William Wagner officiating.

The family asks that any memorials be made to Paradox Teen Center, 305 New York Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 or Faith Lutheran Church, 1300 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.