Obituary of Harald Eberhard Gerber

Born July 6, 1924, in Villingen, Germany to William and Ilse Gerber, Harald E. Gerber died quietly at home surrounded by his family on October 10, 2015, after a short illness with cancer. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1926 with his parents and older brother, Dietrich Gerber, and graduated from the TFHS Class of 1942. During WWII he served in the infantry in New Guinea, the Philippines, Korea, and Luzon. In 1950 he graduated from the University of Idaho, where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, with a degree in Architecture. Harald married Phyllis Petersen on April 12, 1953, and they had five children. Gerber worked for Holmes G. Lash until Mr. Lash’s death in 1956, at which time Gerber opened his own architectural office. Known for his honesty and patience with clients, his detailed plans, and his concern for the integrity of a building with its environment, Gerber designed many commercial buildings, banks, schools, churches, and lovely homes in Twin Falls and the surrounding area, including the Twin Falls Airport terminal and the Garnand and YMCA buildings, as well as additions to the Methodist and First Presbyterian churches in Twin Falls and the First Baptist Church in Filer. Believing that concerned citizens are at the heart of a vital community, Harald played active roles in Twin Falls: He joined Toastmasters Club 149 in 1950; held local offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as area and district offices and Lt. Governor; and was awarded the Advanced Toastmaster (ATM) designation. He was also a Director of Rotary Club, where he enjoyed 37 years of perfect attendance. Additionally, he was a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), for which he served as past State President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Idaho chapter, and as President and long-time Secretary/Treasurer of the Eastern Idaho section of AIA. He served eight years on the Idaho State Uniform Building Code Advisory Board and was a member of the Regional Public Advisory Panel on Architecture and Engineering Services. Gerber also served as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for Twin Falls, as a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Commander of the American Legion Post #7, and President of the Northwest Opera Association. In 2014 he was proclaimed “Twin Falls Pioneer of the Year” and rode in the Western Days Parade – the first (and only) time he ever wore a cowboy hat. Harald’s zest for life was evident in his active pursuit of many hobbies and activities: rallying with his children in both the Magic Valley and Southwest Idaho Sports Car Clubs; watercolor painting; the Times News crossword puzzle, which he completed every evening in pen; traveling; and photography. As noted in a 1976