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<p><em>Stephen Andrew “Steve” Gerber</em> was born in Chardon, OH on December 3, 1973. In 1991, Steve graduated from Chardon High School, where he was a starter on the football team. He enlisted in the Army after high school, becoming a medic and being stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany. In the summer of 1994, Steve was admitted into the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) at Fort Monmouth, NJ. As a prepster in Bravo Company at USMAPS, he earned admission into the West Point Class of 1999. Steve was a member of cadet companies F-2, I-4, and E-4. Many of his classmates remember him as a reserved man but very kind. He majored in civil engineering and branched Armor.</p>
<p>Steve’s <em>Howitzer </em>entry captures his personality and the respect his classmates had for him: “Steve is a tenacious guy who had to come [a] long way to get into West Point... A promising future Armor officer, he’s destined to be the next Patton or Lee. ‘As a man thinketh, so he is.’”</p>
<p>Harvey Lowell was Steve’s I-2 roommate during cow year. He credits Steve as decisive in enabling him to graduate, thanks to all the assistance Steve provided in helping him with difficult classes. Harvey describes Steve as a compassionate person who cherished each and every living thing and devoted himself with a unique passion to nurture and care for others. Steve had sea monkey pets in their barracks room, and while Harvey always worried they would end up walking hours due to the little creatures, he feels that story defined the essence of kindness that made up Steve Gerber. For what some might find silly, he was still willing to sacrifice to take care of others. That compassionate personality allowed many classmates and soldiers to share their problems with Steve and get help to overcome their challenges.</p>
<p>Another I-2 classmate, Michael Bovan, was a tank platoon leader with Steve in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment at Fort Riley, KS. The unit deployed to Kuwait from August 2001 to December 2001. While there, the company partnered with a Kuwaiti tank company and visited their base camp daily. Steve displayed his love for life by immersing himself in learning Kuwaiti culture. He would be the first to eat their food, try out their hooka, and dance to their music. He was respected by his soldiers but also well liked. Prior to returning to the United States, Mike and Steve went to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s Auto Buying program in Doha. Steve was very practical about his finances but debated buying a Corvette, which was a substantial purchase for a lieutenant. After discussing with Mike, he ended up purchasing a Corvette, which became something that he enjoyed throughout his life. Steve completed his Army service in 2016, separating as a major. </p>
<p>A fatal pedestrian crash near Hinesville, GA ended Steve’s life in the early morning hours of April 19, 2020. It also ended his 14-year marriage with his wife, Jill. They lived in Ludowici, GA, where Steve continued his love of maintaining and racing his Corvette, as well as restoring a 1939 Packard. He was a lifelong sports fan, rooting for the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. He is missed by his family, friends, and classmates. “Grip hands tho’ it be from the shadows” and “Be Thou at Peace.”</p>
<p><em>— Donald Simko ’99</em></p>
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