Raymond Harry Gerhart

Raymond Harry Gerhart, 88, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2025, at Brethren Village. He was born in Lancaster and was the son of the late Bervin Lester Gerhart and Serena Mae Schmidt Gerhart. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty Keeport Gerhart; twin sons, Brian K. Gerhart (Julie Bowser), Lancaster, and Bradley K. Gerhart (Leah Kolb), Conestoga; granddaughter, Ashley Rae Gerhart (fiancé Joshua D. Benjamin), Bayonne, NJ; a number of nieces and nephews including Charles W. Davis, Jr., Diane Davis Shuster, Joni Davis Halligan, Robert S. Buckwalter, Jr., Julie Buckwalter Lehr, Stacey L. Gerhart, Debra R. Gerhart, and Stephen J. Gerhart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses, Betty Davis (C. William), Patricia Buckwalter (Robert S.), and Ivan J. Gerhart (Helen Ginter), as well as the mother of his two sons, Barbara K. Gerhart. Ray graduated from Manheim Township High School, Class of 1955, where he was a member of the football squad and track team. Mechanically inclined, he enrolled in HVAC training at Brownstown Vo-Tech School and was employed for many years at Kirchoff, Inc., Neffsville. Ray owned and operated his own HVAC proprietorship in the late 1970s and early 1980s and retired in 2001 as Building Maintenance Coordinator for High Associates, Ltd., Lancaster. A lover of music, he enjoyed attending local concerts, as well as those in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. In particular, he enjoyed the Pennsylvania Academy of Music tours to summer venues for orchestras in Tanglewood and Saratoga Springs and the associated resulting friendships. Longwood Gardens was a place that he frequented routinely in the past. Gardening, golfing, and baking bread, pizza and bagels were among his favorite hobbies. Ray was a member of Saint James Episcopal Church, Lancaster, where he previously served on the Building and Grounds Committee and as an Usher. In addition, he worked on the Tuesday team for the Anchorage Breakfast Program at the Church for many years. He was also a former member of the Manheim Township Lions Club and served as a Director and Treasurer. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ray’s Memorial Service at Saint James Episcopal Church, 119 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will follow in the Saint James Memorial Garden. The service will be live streamed at www.SaintJamesLancaster.org. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saint James Episcopal Church, 119 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602; or the Good Samaritan Fund at Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543; or Hospice & Community Care, P. O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. The Gerhart family would like to thank the nursing team at UPMC for its diligent efforts, the staff members of Hospice & Community Care for their compassionate care, and the team members of the Rehabilitation Center at Brethren Village and Clover Ridge North in the Courtyards for their caring and constant vigilance during Ray’s stays. In addition, special thanks to Catherine Bauer and Cathy Walton, Covenant Home Care, for their attention to Ray’s comfort and companionship over their many years of service.

Raymond Harry Gerhart

February 17, 2026