Dr. Don Gerhardt

Don John Gerhardt, 82, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2026. Born in Evansville, Indiana, on October 30, 1943, to Virgil Gerhardt and Luella Feller Gerhardt, Don grew up on a century farm in Warrick County, which sparked a lifelong interest in designing and improving equipment. Raising and selling pigs through 4H while at Reitz Memorial High School helped fund his undergraduate education at Purdue University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and was a member of a number of honorary societies and president of the student housing cooperative. He moved to Detroit after college and after working at Pontiac Motors proving grounds for a year, he attended the University of Detroit where he received a Master’s Degree in Design Engineering. He met and subsequently married his love, Lois, while in Detroit. They moved to Ann Arbor where he attended the University of Michigan and received both Master’s and PhD Degrees in Bioengineering. While there he studied automobile safety and performed brain research. He spent a decade at Ford where he worked as a design and supervising engineer in the heavy truck division. After receiving an MBA from the University of Michigan, and becoming a licensed professional engineer, Don moved to North Carolina to work at Ingersoll-Rand where he was worldwide manager of compressor engineering before becoming a senior engineering fellow with expertise in strategic sourcing and value engineering, which allowed him to travel widely. He particularly enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and helping them solve their problems. Don stayed just as busy after retirement, designing electric vehicles, founding Gerhardt Cycles, earning a number of patents, and teaching courses in ebike maintenance at Danville (VA) CC, Forsyth Technical CC, and Appalachian State University. Don was preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Luella, as well as his brothers Patrick and Rodney, and sister Barbara. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lois; children, Dietrich (Susan) Gerhardt, Andreana (Scott) Reutinger, and Helena (Erik) Summers; grandchildren Brooke, Conrad, Bailey, Armin, William, Abby, Celeste, Johnathon, Analiese, and Vivienne; as well as his siblings Paul, Marilou, and Hugh. Don will be remembered for his curiosity, attention to the smallest detail, optimism, and time he devoted to family, particularly his 10 grandchildren. A natural teacher, he was the first person to be called to help with a school project or a difficult math problem. He emphasized the importance of education and hard work and his generosity to his children and grandchildren helped them achieve their dreams. A private graveside service will be held at Westlawn Gardens of Memory. Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel is assisting the Gerhardt family.