Dennis Maurice Gerke

Dennis Maurice Gerke, 78, of Eagle Point, Oregon, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024, during a family outing-probably making sure everyone was signed up for a cribbage tournament.

Dennis leaves behind a tribe of loved ones: his wife Jan and her daughter Sheri Cope (Brad); his children Brody, Brandee (Andrzej), and Brian (LeAnn), along with their mother Bunny Lindegaard; a bunch of lively grandkids-Samantha, Brian Jr., Bailey, and their mother Kim McElroy, Izaiah, Jazzyman, Brooke, Brandon and Chayse; and his merry band of brothers: Rock, Kip, Fred, and George. Dennis joins his parents, Maurice and Joan Gerke of Prineville, Oregon, in the big family reunion in the sky.

Born the first of five spirited brothers, Dennis cherished his family fiercely. They were the kind of gang that made reunions sound like a rock concert-loud, rowdy, and absolutely unforgettable. Together with their cousins, the Adams, they turned every family gathering into a full-blown festival of fun and games.

A sportsman through and through, Dennis was MVP material from day one. He tore up the field at Crook County High School and took his game to the University of Oregon, where he balled hard on the basketball court. His love for sports led him to earn not one, but two degrees (Bachelor's and Master's of Science) in health and physical education from the University of Oregon. And let's not forget his stint in the U.S. Army, where he schooled soldiers at the West Point Military Academy on staying fit and afloat-earning medals like he was collecting trading cards.

Post-military, Dennis channeled his energy into shaping young minds and bodies. From coaching high school sports to pioneering health education programs at Eagle Point High School for twenty-eight years, he left no student unstretched or untested. His claim to fame? The guy set a world record for most hugs in a day-452 and not one was half-hearted!

When Dennis wasn't molding champions in the classroom, he was knee-deep in nature. For over thirty years, he guided drift fishing trips on the Rogue River, alongside his good friend and business partner, Chris Tarrant. Fishing, hunting, you name it-Dennis played to win. Even family outings turned into Olympic trials, with Dennis coaching everyone to hook the biggest catch or bag the best buck.

But Dennis wasn't just about the outdoorsy stuff. He also raised homing pigeons (guess who always won their races?), slayed it on the green, and bowled like a boss. And let's not forget his secret life as a banjo-strumming, guitar-picking, joke-cracking master of ceremonies at every family shindig.

Card games? Dennis was a legend. From pinochle with the folks to cribbage with the grandkids, he held court like a king. And when poker night rolled around, you knew where to find him-at the Moose Lodge, where he bluffed his way into everyone's hearts (well, into their chips anyway).

Dennis's wisdom was as legendary as his knack for a good laugh. His one-liners could turn a rainy day sunny and his advice could solve any problem (or start a new one).

A celebration of Dennis's epic life will go down at noon on August 3rd at the Riverhouse in Shady Cove, Oregon. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, Dennis would want donations made to The Parkinson's Foundation-because even in passing, he's still helping others win their biggest battles.

Dennis Gerke may be gone, but his legacy of love, laughter, and sheer determination will live on in our hearts-and in every fishing story that gets taller with each telling.