Elmer (Bud) Edward Gerdes, 79, of Savannah, Georgia passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022.
He was born on January 13, 1943, to Elmer Henry and Beatrice Gerdes in White City, Illinois. Bud served in the U.S. Navy as an E-6 petty officer for over 11 years on several diesel and nuclear submarines. He loved volunteering at Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri, helping with property management. Bud drove many years for Fletcher-Reinhardt delivering electrical material across Missouri to electrical co-operatives. He retired in 2014 and moved with his wife, Rosemary, to Savannah, Georgia. He was an avid gardener and loved to fish. He enjoyed making home improvements and was a sweet and generous man who helped anyone with repairs and projects. Bud soon became a co-trustee at Trinity Lutheran Church, Savannah.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vera Ann and Eleanor; and infant brother, John.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years; daughter, Noel Campbell; granddaughter, Piper; step-children, Warren (Kristie) Streck, Jennifer Streck, and Amy (Christopher) Hapeman; step-grandchildren, Joseph, Katherine, Luka, Annika, and William; and several nieces; nephews; great-nieces; and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Private interment will be at Beaufort National Cemetery, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
http://www.trinitylutheransavannah.org/giving.cfm