Randal Gerhard

Randal Todd Gerhard, of Ellendale, died June 2, 2021 in his home. Randy passed peacefully in his sleep after battling cancer. He was 61 years old.

Randy was born, May 27, 1960, at Plattsburg Air Force, New York to Donald and Marlene Gerhard. He had an exciting childhood as the son of an Airmen living in Florida, Okinawa, and Virginia before settling in Magnolia, Delaware in 1974. He attended Caesar Rodney High School. Randy’s future wife, Laurie E. Betts, lived directly across the street and he impressed her riding his bike up and down Irish Hill Road. They started dating in 1977 and married on June 20, 1981.

Randy worked well with his hands and worked later in life at King Cole Cannery and National HVAC Service. He equally worked around the house and turned an older Farm House in Ellendale into a home. Randy had many interests including fishing, observing nature, watching PBS documentaries, and wood working. His favorite spot to fish was on the Broadkill River in Milton.   Randy was an amateur painter and drawer often creating scenes of tall ships at sea. Randy was also the chef of the family and he passed a love for cooking down to his children and grandchildren.

Randy and Laurie would have been married 40 years just a few weeks after his passing. They raised six children together, Jennifer, Jason, Jesse, Jeanna, Jacob, and Jacquelyn, all of Delaware.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Dawn, and granddaughter, Jessie Leeanne.

Randy is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Laurie Gerhard, their children Jason, Jesse, Jeanna, Jacob, and Jacquelyn, his parents, and sister Mona.

A private service will be held for immediate family in Milton, Delaware.