Donald J. "Doc" Gerner

Donald J. "Doc" Gerner passed away August 21, 2016 at Spring Winds Assisted Living of Laramie, Wyoming in the company of his family.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Della Gerner, his daughter, Cindy Hoobler, his son, Bob Gerner, his step-daughter, Debbie Bastian, his step-son, Timothy McColley, his grandchildren, Jillian Nightingale, Jancy Nightingale, Dax Robinson, Jennifer Robinson, Mary Robinson, Mary Britton Clark, Lacey Phillips, and Payton McColley, and six great grandchildren, Landon Robinson, Broden Robinson, Illiah Pfau, Tripp Phillips, Aila Clark, and Auden Clark.

"Doc" was born November 5, 1926 in Dorchester, Nebraska to Edward and Marie Gerner. He grew up on a farm near Dorchester. Doc served in the United States Army during World War II. He was stationed in the Philippines. After the war, Doc served with U.S. Army intelligence. Doc then received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry, and he later completed his Doctor of Dentistry Science at the University Nebraska, in Lincoln. Upon completion of his D.D.S., Doc started his dental practice in Kimball, Nebraska. Doc practiced in Kimball for over 40 years. During the 1950s Doc served in the Nebraska Army National Guard. Doc also was a member of the Masons. Doc and Mary served the youth of Kimball in their retirement as mentors. Doc was a long-time member of the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church. During his membership Doc served as a Deacon, taught Sunday school, was involved in children's church and served in the nursery.

Doc's passion for aviation led him to become an FAA registered private pilot, and he later built his own single place aircraft. Doc was a long-time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. His labor of love for many years was serving on the Kimball Airport Board and tinkering on his planes. Because of his dedication and service to the Kimball Airport, the flight center was renamed the "Don and Mary Gerner Flight Center" in October of 2015. In his later years, you could often find Doc at the airport with his buddy Riley.

Memorial services will be held at the Crossroads (formerly Pine Bluffs Baptist) Church in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 27 with a graveside service at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery to follow.

To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook go to http://www.montgomerystryker.com.