Gary Gerson

1933 - 2025

Gary R. Gerson, a beloved family patriarch, pioneering entrepreneur, devoted philanthropist, and pillar of the Miami Beach community, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025, at his home in Miami Beach, Florida, at the age of 92. Surrounded by his loving family, Gary's life of extraordinary achievement, selfless service, and deep family bonds leaves an indelible mark on South Florida and beyond. As Founder Emeritus of Gerson Preston Klein Lips Eisenberg Gelber, he not only built a legacy in public accounting but also uplifted countless lives through his unwavering commitment to education, healthcare, and Jewish causes.

Born on October 18, 1933, in Cumberland, Maryland, Gary moved to Miami Beach with his family at the age of 10. He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School before attending the University of Florida from 1951 to 1955. There, he earned a Bachelor's degree in accounting with high honors and a Master's degree in business administration the following year. At just 21 years old in 1955, Gary became the youngest CPA in the United States, a testament to his prodigious talent and drive. During the Korean War, he received a U.S. Navy commission and served honorably as Assistant Gunnery and Operations Officer on a destroyer escort, later heading the Navy Area Audit Office in Orlando. These experiences instilled in him invaluable lessons in leadership, responsibility, and relationship-building that defined his future endeavors.

In 1958, Gary launched his public accounting practice in Miami Beach, founding what would evolve into Gerson Preston Robinson & Company-one of Florida's largest independent accounting firms, now Gerson Preston Klein Lips Eisenberg Gelber, with nearly 100 employees and offices across South Florida. Over six decades, his expertise spanned multiple disciplines and industries, with a special focus on litigation support, international taxation, and wealth planning. A hands-on leader, Gary was qualified as an expert witness in 13 Florida counties and federal courts and co-authored a manual for the Florida Department of Transportation on business damages. He took immense pride in nurturing the firm from a one-person operation to a powerhouse serving international clients.

Gary's impact extended far beyond his business leadership. A fervent advocate for education, he tutored over 60 University of Florida Gators football players in the 1950s, ensuring their academic eligibility under Coach Bob Woodruff-a non-athletic contribution that earned him induction into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, the only such honor for a non-athlete. He established the University's Academic and Tutoring Department for athletes, sponsored need-based scholarships since 1985 at UF, Florida International University, and the University of Miami, and founded the Gary R. Gerson Lecture Series. In 2003, UF dedicated its free-standing accounting building as Gary R. Gerson Hall, the only one of its kind in the country. A life member of the UF Foundation and recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1994, Gary believed no student should be denied opportunity due to financial hardship.

Gary's philanthropy was boundless. As former President and Chairman of the Board of Mount Sinai Medical Center-the largest not-for-profit teaching hospital in South Florida-he championed care for the indigent. He chaired the Israel Bonds Organization of South Florida for 10 years and served on the Executive Committee and Board of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Douglas Gardens Jewish Home for the Aged, Temple Beth Sholom, Concert Association of Florida, and Dade County Industrial Development Authority. His contributions to civic and educational causes earned him the Hi-Tides Outstanding Achievement Award from the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce in 2016, recognizing his role in raising "all ships" through business and benevolence. Other accolades included Miami Beach Citizen of the Year in 1996, Man of the Year from the Miami Herald's Jewish Star Times in 2001, and the Florida Institute of CPAs' Outstanding CPA in Public Service in 2001.

In his personal life, Gary embodied steadfast devotion. Married for over 60 years to his incredible wife, Niety Gerson, he cherished their shared adventures and quiet moments. To his four children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, he was a wise storyteller and unwavering supporter, instilling values of hard work, integrity, and generosity.

Gary R. Gerson lived a life of profound purpose, blending professional excellence with compassionate service. His legacy endures in the institutions he strengthened, the students he empowered, and the family he cherished.

A private family-only memorial service to celebrate Gary's extraordinary life will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The family will sit shiva at the Gerson Home at 1845 Cleveland Road, Miami Beach, FL 33141 on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a shiva minyan at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Gary R. Gerson Scholarship Fund at the University of Florida, the Miami Jewish Federation, or Mount Sinai Medical Center, in honor of his lifelong passion for Jewish tradition, education, and healing. Rest in peace, Gary. Your light continues to guide us all.