Obituary of Louis Martin Gerike

Louis Martin Gerike, Jr (Lou), age 70, of Herndon, Virginia passed away on 12 June 2017.

From Chicago, Illinois, Lou was born on 23 May 1947, and the son of the late Louis Martin Gerike and the late Judy Nemeth Gerike.

Lou served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969 in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

Lou had a long career in International Telecommunications beginning soon after his discharge. His career relocated his home base from Schaumburg, IL to London, England, Dallas, TX, Anchorage, AK, and finally Vancouver, WA where his two daughters were born. The family’s final relocation to Reston, VA was balanced before and after by Lou’s globetrotting to Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.  Lou’s passion for world travel is only surpassed by the enduring friendships he maintained in the far corners of the world and the times he was able to share his passion with his family on vacations near and far.

Many of Lou’s favorite memories and stories came from his daughters, salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest, skiing Mt. Hood, flying the skies, and helping numerous friends and family with all sorts of electrical, plumbing, and household projects.  

He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Nicole Colantonio (Matthew) and Laura Gerike; and grandson, Luca. He is also survived by his former wife, Beverly Towler; sister, Penne Ridlinghafer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and two brothers Peter Gerike (Carol Rudin) of Whiting, Indiana and Gregory Gerike (Nan) of Olathe, Kansas; and cousin, Paul Wilson of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life from 4:30 to 8:00 PM on Monday, 19 June 2017 at the Gerike’s family home in Herndon, Virginia. Burial will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, http://www.alsa.org/.