Steven Gerick

Steven Gerick, 88Steven Gerick of Sun City West, born Feb. 1, 1920, in Pittsburgh, Pa. and passed away July 11, 2008. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Helen "Boots" Gerick. Mr. Gerick was preceded in death by his mother and father, Harry and Theodora; sister, Mary, and his brother Michael. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Roger and Laura, Babb and Frank, Steven Jr. and Dody, and Lisa and Lisa K.; grandchildren, Derek, Kevlin, Erin, Steven Anthony, and Kristin; and great grandchildren, Sophia, Kevin and Jackson.Mr. Gerick joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in August 1941, earned his RCAF wings in 1942 and was sent to England. After flying with the British for nearly a year, he transferred to the USAAF in September 1943 as a technical sergeant and was commissioned Dec. 8 as a flight officer assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron - 56th Fighter Group. He flew the P-47 Thunderbolt in combat missions over occupied Europe, including the allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944. Mr. Gerick was decorated for his service with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal and became an American Fighter Ace. He left the service at the end of the war to enter college and earned his bachelor of arts degree from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va, and his master's in industrial psychology from North Carolina State College. Mr. Gerick worked for the next 33 years in human resources for Reynolds Metals Co. in St. Louis before retiring and relocating with his beloved wife Helen to Sun City West. He loved gardening, photography, traveling with Helen and spending time with his family. Memorial services to celebrate Mr. Gerick's life were held July 22 at Prince of Prince Church in Sun City West. Internment services followed at Cave Creek National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, P.O. Box 13600, Phoenix, AZ, 85002.