Louis Emery Gerber, Jr.

Louis “Lou” Emery Gerber JR was born in La Grande, Oregon June 7, 1955, the only son of Louis Gerber and Wilba “Sue” (Wolfe) Gerber. He was raised in Elgin with his two younger sisters and graduated with the Elgin High School class of 1973. He graduated from Eastern Oregon State College in 1983. Lou passed away at home unexpectedly, on July 23, 2025, after a life of purpose, service and love.

On February 23, 1980, Lou married Robin Laverne Schultz, the love of his life. They built a home together in Union County, where they raised four children and attended the Nazarene Church. During the last few years, Lou was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Lou entered the US Air Force at age 17, where he served 4 years as a security specialist in the United States and England. He continued his lifelong commitment to the military in the Oregon Army National Guard where he served honorably for another 38 years, including a tour in Iraq. He was a combat medic, medical platoon sergeant, 1st Sargeant of Charlie Med in Portland, and a medical instructor at the Oregon Army National Guard Regional Training Institute in Monmouth, Oregon. He was one of the pioneers and first instructors of the Combat Lifesaver Program. He retired as an E8, Master Sergeant.

During the years Lou worked for the La Grande School District, he volunteered his time to create a ceramics program for the kids. Following that he worked for the Oregon Youth Authority as a Group Life Coordinator at the Riverbend Youth Transition Facility, where he volunteered to teach First Responder Certification classes for the youth. Lou was very into ceramics and glassblowing. An avid outdoorsman, Lou took joy in running, snowshoeing, cycling, fishing, hunting and camping – often in the company of his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.

Lou and Robin started Blue Mountain Basic in 1989, to provide: CPR/First Aid Instruction, private EMT services, and youth EMS education. He trained individuals and groups across the globe, from Union County to Rwanda, Africa. He enjoyed several international service trips with his son, supporting Rotary and ShelterBox USA, including to Nicaragua, Nepal, and Colombia.

Lou spent 15 years as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the La Grande Rural Fire Protection District. He served on the Union County Commission on Children and Families. He was a lifetime member of the Masons, where he served two years as the Master of Lodge 41. He was a member of the American Legion Post 43. Lou was a 4-H Volunteer: getting grants to start a robotics program, providing EMS related services and education, and being a club leader.

Through every role he lived – husband, soldier, teacher, father, grandfather and friend – Lou was a man of faith known for his integrity, his humor, his steady presence, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Lou’s legacy of service and compassion lives on in the lives he touched and the values he passed down to those around him.

Lou is survived by Robin Gerber, his wife of 45 years, his children: Matthew Gerber of Tampa, Florida; Brigette Kratochvil and her husband James of La Grande; Elisha Kelleher of Boise, Idaho; and Melissa (Ruthie) Gabler and her husband Drew of Chicago, Illinois. He is also survived by: five grandsons - Zach, Joseph, Noe, Landin, and Teddy; two great granddaughters - Olivia and Violet; and two sisters - Colleen Kai of Troutdale, and Kathrine Litchfield of Milwaukie.

A celebration of life is planned for 2pm on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Oregon National Guard Armory, 404 12th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

Contributions in his memory can be made to these two causes close to his heart: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho, 139 East Warm Springs Ave., Boise, ID 83712 ShelterBox USA, a global and domestic disaster relief organization www.ShelterBoxUSA.org