DONALD E. GERHEART June 28, 1942 – March 21, 2024

Donald E. Gerheart, loving husband and father of two, passed away Thursday, March 21,  2024 at age 81.

Don was born on June 28, 1942, to Stephen and Margaret S. Gerheart in Palmerton, PA. Don earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1964 and Master’s Degree in 1969, in Music Education both from the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

On June 6, 1964, he married Jane Seltenrich and together they raised two children, Ann Marie and Charles Stephen in their home in White Rock where Don resided for 57 years.

Don spent 27 years in the Los Alamos Public Schools, after accepting a position in 1966, teaching band and music at the Elementary, Middle School and Junior High Levels including Pueblo Junior High, Cumbres Junior High, and Los Alamos Middle School, along with 2 years at Los Alamos High School as Activities Director, and Assistant Principal.

He retired from teaching in 1993 and started a new career working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Training Center where he spent 10 years working as their budget procurement officer and building manager.

Don was passionate about music education and financial administration. With these two skills he continued to work, well after his retirement, for the New Mexico Music Educators Association as their Editor for 16 years, and their Executive Director for another 16 years. Don spent a total of 36 years in service for the New Mexico Music Educators Association being inducted into the NMMEA Hall of Fame in 1995, NMMEA Emeritus Teaching Award in 2010, and inducted into the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) Hall of Fame in 2019, in large part due to his 15 years of service with NMAA Activities Council and Commission. Don is currently the only Music Educator to ever be inducted into the NMAA Hall of Fame.

Don finally retired after his wife Jane passed away in 2017, but was not the type to sit at home.  Don found a new group of friends, and new ways to keep him busy, by joining the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization, by volunteering his time to hand out lunches, organize COVID vaccinations, and serve on the Board of Directors as their Secretary, a position he held until his very last day.

Don is preceded in death by his father Stephen, mother Margaret, and his loving wife Jane. He is survived by his two children Ann and Charles, his three sisters Carolyn, Janet and Marie, and several nieces and nephews.

A public celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Crossroads Bible Church, 97 East Road in Los Alamos, NM at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers please make any contributions in Don’s name to the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization, 133 Longview Drive, White Rock, NM 87547.