Gerhard Langer

1923 - 2016

Gerhard (Gary) Langer was born to Wilhelm and Helene Langer on November 2nd, 1923 in Jena, Germany. He and his two sisters, Herta and Ami, grew up in the midst of the hardships of post World War I Germany and the rise of the Nazi party. He left Germany for the United States in the company of some family friends just weeks before the outbreak of World War II. He attended high school in Washington D.C., graduating in 1941, and then attended Purdue University. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering in June of 1944. He enlisted in the Army in November 1944 and was honorably discharged in December 1946. After discharge, he returned to Purdue University to complete his Master's degree. He worked briefly in Baytown, Texas, before moving to Chicago where he met is wife Ann, whom he married in 1951. Their three children were born in Chicago as well. The family moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1963 when he took a position as a research scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. After many years researching various aspects of cloud seeding and hail suppression, he moved to Rocky Flats where he continued to his work in environmental science until he retired in 1992. He and Ann were involved in the United Methodist Church throughout their life, and have been members of Mountain View Methodist Church since moving to Boulder in 1963. Gary loved serving the church in tangible ways, doing repairs and maintenance as well as many mission trips to various locations around the world. He was avidly engaged in hiking, biking, running, snow-shoeing and host of other outdoor activities. Gary passed away on Saturday, September 17 at Frasier Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder. He is survived by his wife Ann, his children Steven, Linda and Richard, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren (with one more on the way!). Services will be held Thursday, September 22nd at 1pm at Mountain View Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place. Share memories and condolences at www.cristmortuary.com