Larry Gerber

1943 - 2021

Larry P. Gerber
February 8, 1943 - May 8, 2021
Larry passed away on May 8, 2021, in Concord following a two-year battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife and best friend, Suzanne Amendt, sons Keith, Shane, and Dylan; daughter, Lauren; granddaughter Zana; brother Gregory and sister Debra Jennings, and hundreds of friends.

Born in Illinois, to Paige and Leland Gerber, Larry was part of a military family and moved many times in his youth. He graduated in 1968 from San Francisco State University, then attended the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. In 1969, inspired by the social turmoil of the times, Larry joined the social services union, SEIU Local 535, as a field representative. Larry earned a reputation as a master negotiator often called upon to resolve the most difficult situations. In 1979 he joined SEIU Local 390, representing BART workers, and achieved some of the best contracts for transit workers in the country. Larry concluded his labor career by returning to SEIU 535 in 1995 as its Director of Administrative Services. His work in the Labor Movement improved the lives of working people, thousands of times over.

Larry was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous with continuous sobriety for the past 38 years. He was dedicated to giving back to others the gifts he had been bestowed in sobriety and committed to bringing 12-Step meetings into the California prison system.

Of the many weddings Larry officiated, he was especially proud of presiding over the nuptials of Gregory to Deborah Gerber, and Debra to Michael Jennings.

Larry was a gifted auto trader; over the years he bought and sold hundreds of cars and motorcycles, countless classics, and beloved Corvettes. He was a founding member of the Survivors Motorcycle Club and logged hundreds of thousands of miles on his many Harleys. Club members remember him as a strong leader and exceptional rider.
He instilled in his children a love of automobiles, camping, long road trips, tin roof sundaes, hot tubs, watching sports on Sundays (Go Packers!) and sometimes needing to leave work early to catch an A's game.
Larry's fierce love for his wife and children, his humor, irreverence, generosity to those in need, and steadfast commitment to justice for the underdog will be sorely missed. He will be remembered for his approachability, loving heart, wit and the generosity of spirit he extended to his fellows. His departure leaves a void in the world and in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held 6/25/21 at Baldwin Park in Concord at 4pm. Friends are invited to share memories at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169046938471280.