Ben Clifford Gerwick Jr.

Dear Mrs. Gerwick;

I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and the entire family of Professor Gerwick.

In the 1980’s, as a young Saudi Arabian engineering student Professor Gerwick taught me, not only to be a better engineer, but also many things about my own country and how to succeed in business there. I, like all of his former students, held Professor Gerwick in very high regard and appreciated his loyalty and dedication. I will always remember him fondly in...

Over the decades since I first met him at Berkeley in the early 1970s, Ben Gerwick was an important professional inspiration even though we rarely worked together. His knowledge, enthusiasm, kindness, and wisdom added to my pride in being a civil engineer. Recently, I was particulary honored that Ben moderated my session at the 30th International Conference on Coastal Engineering last September in San Diego. I will miss him very much and remember him forever.

Professor Gerwick was an inspiration to all who met him. I was honored to be able to learn from him at UC Berkeley and I try to duplicate his enthusiasm and love of construction in the classroom with my students. To me, he had (civil engineering) rock star status. I remember being excited when seeing him on the streets of the financial district in San Francisco. It truly was an honor to learn from him.

It was an honor to have Ben as a father-in-law. He welcomed me into the family and shared his passion for books with me. He passed down his knowledge and appreciation for nature to his grandchildren and was truly an inspiration to us all.

Professor Gerwick was one of the people who left their imprint on my career. I have been lucky to have been his student at Cal. May God bless his soul. My prayers to the family.

Dear Gerwick Family,
I share in your sorrow at the loss of a wonderful and remarkable man. My memories of growing up next door to your family are all happy ones and I was blessed to get to know Ben years later through the Claremont Club in Berkeley. I always looked forward to seeing his bright smile and receiving his warm hug. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all.