Obituary of Richard C. Gerbes

CANISTEO: Richard C. “Dick” Gerbes, 71, of Cline Hill Rd. passed away early Wednesday morning April 7, 2021 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Dick was born August 6, 1949 in Marion Ohio to the late Kenneth and Betty Marie (Claffey) Gerbes. On November 7, 1969, at the Park United Methodist Church in Hornell, he married the former Clio Biddle who survives and resides in Canisteo. Dick was a graduate of Hornell High School class of 1968 and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. serving our country from 1968-72. As a marine he took care of and repaired military tanks. He was employed with the Steuben County Highway Dept. as a heavy equipment mechanic for 20 years. During his employment with the County, he started his own heavy equipment repair business on Cline Hill in the town of Jasper in 1988, working right up until the time of his illness for 32 years. Outside of work he loved to hunt and fish and race stock cars at Woodhull Race Way in the “Hooligan” class. He and his son Scott were also very involved with drag racing (street model division) at the Leister Drag Racing Facility in Leister, NY. One of their greatest accomplishments in drag racing was making a trip to the Grand Nationals in Ohio together. Dick was a member of the Canisteo American Legion, the Canisteo Rod & Gun Club and a former member of the Jasper Vol. Fire Dept. He was also a past Scout Master for Troop #46 in Jasper. In addition to his wife Clio, Dick is survived by two sons: Dana Michael (Lissa) Gerbes of Hannibal and Richard Scott (Jamie) Gerbes of Canisteo. 8 grandchildren: Catlyn (Andrew) Pauldine, Meghan (Patrick) Edwards, Leslie Gerbes, Zachary Gerbes, Laken and Kiersten Gerbes and Hunter and Payton Palmer. 5 great-grandchildren, Daniel and Jackson Pauldine, Grace and Faith Edwards and Roy Crouch. Dick is also survived by a sister Susan Gerbes of Rochester. He was predeceased by a great grandson Richard Michael Gerbes, three sisters, Diane Monaghan, Judy Rudabaugh, and Kathy Gillespie, one brother Kenneth Gerbes. There will be no calling hours or services at this time. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Dick’s life on Saturday, June 12th from 2:00 pm - til at 2719 Cline Hill Rd. in the town of Jasper. Memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be made to either Care First, 3805 Meads Creek Rd., Painted Post, NY 14870 or to the Vol. Fire Dept. of the donor’s choice.