Thomas Gerkhardt

Thomas (Tom) Gerkhardt died April 3, 2026 in East Troy, WI at the age of 89 after a year in hospice care.

Tom was born in Milwaukee to Elmer and Antonia Gerkhardt. In his youth, Tom was a musician playing both jazz and classical bass. Though his aspirations of playing bass professionally changed after his service in the Coast Guard, Tom's love of music continued throughout his life. Tom eventually was hired as a mechanical engineer at Zerand Corporation. In this role, he had the opportunity to travel the world, visiting locations he would never have been able to see otherwise. He often shared photos of exotic locations he visited abroad, as well as the friends he made during his travels. When back home with his family, his passion for photography continued, often seen in his photographs of nature and his wife's award winning garden.

Tom is survived by his daughters Connie and Adrianne, son-in-law Andy, and grandchildren Finn and Stella. He is reunited in the afterlife with his wife Joann, son Charlie, and parents Elmer and Antonia.