GÉRARD GUSTAV EMCH

EMCH,

GÉRARD GUSTAV, 76

Dr. Gérard Gustav Emch, 76, of Gainesville, Florida, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at his home.

Dr. Emch was born on July 21, 1936 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was educated at the University of Geneva, receiving his Ph. D. in Mathematical Physics. His life was dedicated to research and education. He came to the United States in 1964 and began his career at Princeton University, then moving to the University of Rochester where he spent 20 years as a professor. Dr. Emch moved to Gainesville in 1986 to become the chairperson of the Mathematics Department at the University of Florida, where he stayed until his retirement in 2005. Dr. Emch was a Gauss Professor at the Goettingen Academy of Sciences in 1985, and was a fellow of the All Souls College, Oxford, England in 2004. He was very involved with his church in Rochester and with his church in Gainesville; Westminster Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dr. Antoinette Emch-Dériaz, of Gainesville; one daughter and son-in-law, Florence & Joseph Emch-Wei, of Los Angeles, California; one son and daughter-in-law, René-Didier & Karen Emch-Feulner, of Vancouver, Washington; five grandchildren, Colin Emch-Wei, Caroline Emch-Wei, Hannah Emch, Alice Emch, and Eric Emch; one sister, Aurore Chilier-Emch, of Geneva, Switzerland; three brothers-in-law, Philippe Dériaz, Blaise Dériaz and François and his wife Catherine Dériaz, all of Geneva, Switzerland; one sister-in-law, Danielle Dériaz, of Paris, France. Eight nieces and nephews also survive Dr. Emch.

A Memorial Service will be conducted Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, for Habitat for Humanity, 1521 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32605.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

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DOWNTOWN

(352) 376-7556