By Staff
Today we lost a great man. Beloved husband of Phyllis Bates Gertz, father of Linda Wadleigh and Bonnie Dirr, grandfather of Katie Dirr, Matthew Dirr, Vikki Benson, Christie Miller and Richard H. Gertz, III. He left behind his great grandchildren; Ashley Alewine, Kelsey Alewine, Audrey Benson, and Andrew Benson. He was preceded in death by his son, Rick Gertz, and his granddaughter, Suzanne Dirr, who both loved him dearly and wait for him with open arms. His son-in-law, Mike Dirr, and his grandsons-in-law, Jimmy Miller and Brent Benson mourn his passing as one of their own.
Dick was a loving husband and father, faithful and proud and honest to a fault. He trusted in God. He believed in the goodness of man and the goodness of his country and defended it in a far away land as part of the Greatest Generation. He was a patriot and those are not empty words.
Dick spent the last 72 years with the girl of his dreams, and still lit up like a Christmas tree when she walked in the room. A romance like that doesn’t fade with age.
We, as his family, will sorely miss his charm and wit as will anyone who ever knew him. There was contagious twinkle in his eye and a warm and hearty laugh just waiting to burst out. He loved to be hugged and to give a bear hug in the return to anyone within reach and when he held on tight you knew you were safe, right there. He would protect you forever. A life well lived and a man well loved. Be on your way with all our love, all that you can carry. That is all you need now.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 9th at 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe First Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Christian Church of Monroe, GA or the Sweet Melissa Fund, for transplant families in need, c/o Becky Cicale, 309 E. Winmore Ave, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 or The Reaching Out Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis patients, P.O. Box 870747, Stone Mountain, GA 30087.
Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. of Monroe is in charge of arrangements. 770-267-9406
Paid Obituary