Gerald Frederick Kercher

Waterford - On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2011, Gerald Frederick Kercher slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hand, and touched the face of God. He died at home in Quaker Hill as he wished.

Gerald, the third of three sons of Erwin W. and Amanda (Muck) Kercher, was born on June 9, 1924, in Cass City, Mich. He graduated from Cass City High School in 1942 and married his high school sweetheart, Frances Elizabeth Koepfgen, in 1945 at the "Little Church Around the Corner" in New York City. She died in 1993.

Gerald's interests were many and varied. From his first job after high school as a coal passer on the Great Lakes Steamship Cygnus to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Gerald's love of his country was surpassed only by the love for his family.

During World War II, Gerald flew the B26 Martin Marauder In European and North African campaigns, as a member of the 320th Bomb Group. He was especially proud of his service during the Berlin Air Lift when he dropped thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies to the German people.

Following World War II, Gerald served as the base legal officer in Munich, Germany. Over the next 20 years, the Air Force took Gerald to Texas, Saudi Arabia, Pennsylvania, and back to Germany where he served as an agent in the Office of Special Investigation, working with Belgium and Luxemburg police. He completed his careerat bases inMassachusetts and New York. Just prior to his retirement from the Air Force in 1965, Gerald flew C-123 cargo planes, ferrying personnel and cargo to Vietnam. He retired as a major and began a very different 20-year career as a commodities broker in New London, working for Goodbody & Co., which later merged with Merrill Lynch.

In his retirement, Gerald volunteered enthusiastically for Southeastern Hospice for 18 years, stopping only in the past few weeks. He was also a tutor for Literacy Volunteers and volunteered his driving services for the American Red Cross and the local food pantry. He served as a delightful toastmaster for the First Wednesday Club and was known for his recitations and spirited singing. He was an enthusiastic member of Shortwave Radio International, attending their many conferences with special friends around the world. He was a life long Detroit Tigers fan and died happily knowing that his team was in first place. Devoted to his faith, Gerald was a member of the Safe Harbor Assembly of God Church in Uncasville.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his six children and their families, Susan and Abraham Chamie, Philip and Jet Kercher, Andrew and Wendy Kercher, Matthew Kercher, Amanda Kercher and David Weinraub, and Caroline and Craig Thurston. He was very proud of his 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He joins in heaven a dear granddaughter, Kathryn Frances Kercher.

Visitation hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Harkness Chapel, Connecticut College.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Southestern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich CT 06360.