ARTHUR GERHARD

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ARTHUR GERHARD

After a brief battle with cancer, (James) Arthur Gerhard passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 1, 2020, at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.
Born in Simcoe, Ontario on October 8, 1941, he grew up in Delhi, Ontario. He was active in Scouting, earning the Queen Scout award in 1958. He attended McMaster University in Hamilton, earning a B.Sc, M.Sc, and, in 1968, a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
Arthur married (Hazel) Diane Osborne on June 4, 1966. In 1968, they moved to Winnipeg when Arthur joined the faculty at the University of Manitoba. He taught Mathematics and published papers on classification of semigroups. He was Head of the Department of Mathematics, and later Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science. He retired in 2008 after a career of almost 40 years.
Arthur loved sailing on Lake of the Woods and spending time at his cottage in Sioux Narrows. He was a lover of music, playing Trumpet in the University Band at McMaster, and singing in the Philharmonic Choir in Winnipeg. He was a life member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. In later years, he and Diane volunteered with Patient Partners in Arthritis, helping train medical students.
Arthur and Diane were role models of what a loving partnership can be. Married for over 50 years, and always supporting and delighting in each other's work and passions. Arthur's greatest joy was his four grandchildren. He showed them life on the water, taught them bread making and chess, exposed them to Tolkien and Wagner, cheered them on in their endeavours, and loved them as only a grandpa can.
He will be profoundly missed by his sons, Adam (Kristine) and David (Tricia); grandchildren, Sophia, Jacob, Matthew and Rachel; niece Shirley and daughter Jennifer; sisters-in-law, Jan (Roy) and Chris (Alan) and their families; Cindy (Sue); and numerous extended family and friends.
Sincere thanks is extended to the caring people at the Buhler CancerCare at the Victoria Hospital, Careica, the Grace Hospital, and Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Services for their compassion and care during Arthur's end of life journey.
A service of celebration will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster United Church, with a reception to follow. Interment will take place in Delhi, Ontario later this spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Grace Hospital Foundation.
Arthur was a rare man, a deeply good man, full of dry wit, and deep wisdom, and quiet grace.

THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
204-925-1120
Condolences may be sent to
www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2020