Gerald McHale

Gerald Thomas McHale, a devoted husband, father, grandfather ("Opa"), brother, cousin, and friend, died peacefully at his home in Green Valley, Arizona, with loved ones at his side on April 30, 2025, at the age of 77. Fondly known as Jerry, he was admired for his warmth, generosity, and thoughtful nature. A man of many talents and wide-ranging interests, he lived a life shaped by meaningful achievements and consistent dedication to helping others-whether they were family, friends, coworkers, or strangers.

Jerry was one of 14 children born to Eugene and Marian McHale of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Marsha (Gaskin); their two sons, Jeffrey (Kevin) and Brian; and his grandson, Hal. Born on May 13, 1947, in Detroit, Jerry leaves behind a rich legacy that will be remembered by all who knew him.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army, specializing in radar repair at a direct support platoon at Pinder Kaserne in Landshut, Germany. The platoon was part of the Headquarters Battery of the 6th Missile Battalion, 61st Air Defense Artillery. Jerry was responsible for maintaining and repairing the IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) radar system, providing 24/7 service to ensure it remained fully operational.

After being discharged from the Army, Jerry went on to earn degrees in Occupational Therapy, Orthotics, and Biomedical Engineering. His career in these fields included founding his own firm, Orthotics Specialists, in Warren, Michigan. There, Jerry gained recognition for his expertise in designing and fabricating custom braces, splints, and devices to treat injuries and disabilities affecting the head, limbs, and spine.

Jerry designed the first clear plastic face safety mask, originally for NBA Detroit Piston Bill Laimbeer, and later for Rip Hamilton. Jerry's custom face masks allowed injured players to return early to competition with protection to the healing area and prevention of re-injury. He also crafted a mask for a young Kobe Bryant, then a high school player in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Jerry designed multiple hand braces for Isaiah Thomas, including one that allowed him to continue playing in the 1989 NBA Finals despite an injury. Throughout his career, Jerry's innovative designs benefited numerous professional athletes. In recognition of his impactful contributions to the sport, he was nominated in 2018 as a Contributor to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

After earning his Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Jerry began his career in automotive safety research. He later transitioned into teaching Orthotics, followed by roles at the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C., and the VA Hospital in Detroit.

In 2011, Jerry and his wife made a bold move to Germany, where he spent five years as the sole Orthotics specialist for the U.S. Army at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. There, he provided care for wounded U.S. soldiers and NATO partner evacuees from conflicts in the Middle East. One notable case involved a Romanian Army officer who had lost an arm; Jerry crafted a temporary cosmetic prosthesis intended to be replaced once the officer returned home. However, even after receiving a state-of-the-art myoelectric prosthesis in Romania, the officer continued to prefer Jerry's handmade device-still using it more than eight years later.

Jerry had a wide range of hobbies, including photography, birding, travel, genealogy, woodworking, and home remodeling. His adventures took him to over 20 countries, with highlights including India, Iceland, and a memorable safari in Tanzania. Jerry would often be the first up in the morning to grab his camera gear and venture out to local birding destinations. He took first place in a photo contest at Huntley Meadows, his favorite park in Virginia, with his submission of a close-up photo of a Robber Fly with a captured Flower Beetle. While living in Germany, he enjoyed observing the local birdlife and added many European species to his life list. He was even featured in the local Kaiserslautern newspaper for spotting a Kappenammer (Cape Bunting), a bird that hadn't been recorded in the area for many years. As an avid genealogist, Jerry uncovered distant maternal Forster cousins in Steisslingen, Germany, and traced his McHale roots back to County Mayo, Ireland.

In retirement, Jerry continued to stay active in Green Valley, biking through the Sonoran Desert, birding in Madera Canyon, and woodworking in his shop. He volunteered with the Green Valley Genealogy Library, helping others discover their own family histories and with the Tucson Audubon Society, building bird, owl, and bat boxes to support local wildlife.

When recently asked about his greatest accomplishment, Jerry said, "Finding Marsha." His wife, Marsha, was an Occupational Therapist when Jerry began studying the field. For one of his early classes, he was assigned to observe Occupational Therapy at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, for six weeks. It was during this time that he first noticed Marsha. Their connection quickly grew, and not long after, they were married and started a family, raising their sons in Troy, Michigan. Together, they shared a lifetime of adventures-culminating in their move to Germany, which allowed for extensive travel across Europe, followed by their retirement years spent in the beautiful Arizona Sonoran Desert.

Jerry taught his sons valuable lessons in creativity, hard work, and the importance of following their passions. He actively supported Jeff's creative film projects-He could be seen tossing debris off the roof of their Troy home for a homemade reenactment of Twister, loaning his station wagon for the T-Rex scene in Jurassic Park and stunt driving for several of Jeff's films. He remained one of Jeff's most devoted supporters throughout his life, genuinely excited to see each new idea brought to life. Jerry took great pride in Jeff's work and was always eager to watch his latest films and videos.

Jerry's youngest son, Brian, inherited his knack for fixing and building things and they also shared interests in cars and the outdoors. When Brian was young, Jerry taught him woodworking, even letting him use power tools and saws before Marsha would have preferred. He often sat Brian on his lap, before his feet could reach the pedals, to steer their cars into the garage and at a slightly later age let him drive through empty parks during their pre-dawn birding trips-long before most kids ever touched a steering wheel. Even in his seventies, Jerry remained an active partner in Brian's ambitious house projects, including helping to replace the roof, install solar panels, and build a workshop from the ground up at Brian's Tucson home.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents and five brothers: Brian, Tom, Pat, Mike, and Tim. He is survived by his brothers Dan (Joan), Joe, Bob (Judy), and Bill (Debra); his sisters Mary (Chuck) Fenton, Colleen (Lou) Belli, Anne (John) Regalski, and Kate (Joe) Clemens; and his sisters-in-law Liz McHale, Barbara Fritzsching, and Pamelia Wood. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends who will deeply miss his presence.

Recently Jerry said he had one regret; he did not get to publish a memoir. It would have been filled with great stories, lessons learned, and the many adventures he had throughout his life. Jerry's kindness and the love he shared will always be remembered by those who knew him. His family extends sincere gratitude to everyone who supported him during his life and to those who now honor his memory.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday July 13, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 04:00 PM at Indian Springs Metropark Environmental Discovery Center located at 5175 Indian Trail, White Lake, Michigan. All who knew and loved Jerry are welcome. Donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org/give