Gerald BECHERT

1935 - 2021

BECHERT, Gerald M.

June 29, 1935 – January 9, 2021

Gerald M. Bechert, age 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the second son of Charles and Katheryn (Reidy) Bechert, Jerry spent his formative years with his close cousins from the O'Brien and Maley families while attending Little Flower Elementary School and Cathedral High School. In 1957, he graduated in economics from the University of Notre Dame, and shortly thereafter met the love of his life, Nan, to whom he was married to for 58 years. In their first few years together, Jerry was a clerk in the United States Army ("we never retreat, we merely backspace"), followed by a 30+ year career as professional salesman in the steel industry, from which he retired in 2000. True to his Irish roots, Jerry loved a good cold beer, was a fantastic storyteller, and enjoyed entertaining friends and family with his numerous tales from his early years including stories about Richard Van Meter, adventures with his college friend "Bird Dog" (and his sister, "Bird Dog with hair"), Buddy Young, and so many more. He was admired for his quick wit, his generosity, and his competitive

spirit, which was most evident in his love for playing the game of tennis. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Skip and granddaughter Emma, Jerry is survived by his wife, Nan; brother Ken (Katie); children Tim (Mandy), Maribeth, Greg (Amy), and Kathleen; 7 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A private memorial service for the family will be held at a future date. In lieu of the customary floral

arrangements, the family requests that a donation be made in his granddaughter Emma Bechert's memory to David's House, 461 Mount Support Rd, Lebanon, NH 03766 or NH Make a Wish, 814 Elm St., #300, Manchester, NH 03101.