Max E Gerber

Max E. Gerber, age 88, of Sylvania, Ohio went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on June 1, under hospice care at The Lakes of Sylvania, after an extended illness. He will be remembered as a man whose heart was full of love for his family and friends, with whom he shared his strength, life, knowledge and wisdom. He was a common man with uncommon grace; a mentor to many, a teacher to most and human being to all. Max was born in Shelby County, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1929, the son of Elmer and Hulda Gerber. He was a graduate of Jackson Center High School, of Capital University (B.A., 1950) where he was sports editor of The Chimes newspaper, and of The Ohio State University (M.A., 1960). A man of great faith, he was a member of Mayfair-Plymouth Congregational Christian Church, Grace Lutheran Church and most recently St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Sylvania. While at Mayfair-Plymouth, he served as a deacon, head deacon, lay scripture reader, general prayer reader, usher and worked in the kitchen for many functions. Max also was an associate member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, where he and wife Rosemary spent winters from 1992-2004. Max came to Toledo in 1960 after eight years as a teacher at Linden McKinley High School, Indianola Junior High School, and after three years covering the Ohio State Buckeyes for the Columbus daily - The Ohio State Journal. He also did correspondence writing for the Columbus Citizen and the Chicago Tribune. For 29 years Max was sports information director at The University of Toledo and oversaw students John McNamara and Rod Brandt, both of whom later became sports information directors at UT. As anyone who worked under Max’s watchful instruction could attest, he lived with a simple rule: in baseball you are allotted three strikes, under his watch you were allotted two before you are “out”. His service was recognized in 1993 by dedication of the Max E. Gerber Media Center in the Glass Bowl press tower and in 1996 by induction into the Varsity “T” Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Downtown Coaches Association and the UT Retirees Association and was a lifetime member of the College Sports Information Directors of America. He did doctoral level work in western history at UT and was a published author in historical quarterlies and was a reference source in numerous books. He also authored articles in sports and travel magazines. His family and friends knew Max as a gentle soul who enjoyed a good laugh and always had a handshake for those who needed one. Max married Rosemary Biggs Morrison in January 1966. She preceded him in death Aug. 31, 2005 and has undoubtedly awaited his arrival ever since. He was also preceded in death by his sister Margy Lou Munson of Columbus, nephew Tyler Stansel of Kettering and nephew Dan Weisenbach of Columbus. Surviving is his son, Richard B. Morrison (Mary) of Sylvania and grandson Andrew Mikolajczyk. Also surviving is his sister Christy K. Jones ( Ben) of Vandalia. Surviving nieces and nephews Katrina Weisenbach of Columbus, Lisa (Curt) Hone of Charleston, S. C., Matt Jones (Louisa) of Kettering and Lesley (Chris) Madden as well as his extended family Tara (Lucas), Jillian, Maura (Billy), Paul, Sophia, Riley, Will, Lydia, Jase, Lena and Greyson. Max was also blessed with the friendship of daughter-in-law Mary Morrison’s extended family, including her parents (Al & Ruth Mikolajczyk), brothers and sisters Al Mikolajczyk, Jr., Christine Filzer, Kathy Bench, Joe Mikolajczyk, Julia Deal, Jennifer Villa, and their spouses and children with whom he touched with his smile and shared his generous heart. Max’s Arizona winters left him with numerous friends from across the US and Canada who joined him in mountain hiking, four- wheeling the backcountry and making Western Jewelry in the lapidary. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeffery Maludy for his kindness and care for Max over the last fifteen years as well as the staff at the Lakes of Sylvania for their attentiveness in Max’s journey and finally Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their comfort and compassion leading to Max’s final days. Friends may visit the family at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey) on Sunday from 2-8:30 PM. Funeral Services will be held Monday at 11 AM in St. Stephen Lutheran Church 7800 Erie St. Sylvania, Ohio where visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will be private. The family suggests memorial tributes may be made to The University of Toledo Foundation, Gerber Family Fund which supports the Sports Information Office at the University or St Stephen Lutheran Church, Sylvania, Ohio. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com