Posted: Monday, January 30, 2017

Philip Gerhart, PhD, PE, of Evansville passed away Friday, January 27, at Deaconess Hospital, at the age of 70. He was dean of engineering and computer science and professor of mechanical and civil engineering at the University of Evansville.

Philip was born August 5, 1946, in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of the late Otis Gerhart and Edith Gerhart Marquand.

He earned his BSME degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1968 and his MS and PhD. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1969 and 1971. Before becoming chair of mechanical and civil engineering at the University of Evansville, he was on the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of Akron from 1971 to 1984. He also served as interim vice president of academic affairs at UE from 2001-2002.

Gerhart taught a variety of courses in thermo-fluid sciences. He has consulted widely in the power generation and process industries and has authored or coauthored three books on fluid mechanics and fluid machinery.

Since 1975, he was deeply involved in the development of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Performance Test Codes. He served as ASME vice president for performance test codes, and was a member and vice-chair of the Committee on Fans, chair of the Committee on Fired Steam Generators, and a member of the Standing Committee on Performance Test Codes.

Gerhart was a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His honors and awards include the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Faculty Senate of the United Methodist Church, the ASME Dedicated Service Award, the ASME Performance Test Codes Gold Medal, ASME Student Section Outstanding Teacher, the Cummins Engine Co. Award, and Hemmingway Gold Medal from Rose-Hulman Institute.

He served in many volunteer leadership roles, including teacher and elder at Northwest Avenue Church of Christ in Tallmadge, Ohio, and Cullen Avenue/Crossroads Christian Church. Gerhart served in the Boy Scouts as scoutmaster, as well as a variety of other roles. He was elected to the Buffalo Trace Council Executive Board in 2005. Eighty-six scouts earned Eagle under his leadership. In 2001, he was awarded the Silver Beaver, recognizing exceptional character for distinguished service. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Mary Lou (Huffer) Gerhart of Evansville; daughter, Ann Bauer (John) of Florissant, Missouri; son, Andy Gerhart (Amy) of Farmington, Michigan; grandchildren, Bryan and Mark Bauer of Florissant, Isabelle, Eli, and Adrianna Gerhart of Farmington; brother-in-law, Dale Huffer (JoAnn); nieces, Suzi Huffer and Karen Roberson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, January 31, at Crossroads Christian Church, located at 10800 Lincoln Avenue, Newburgh, Indiana. Pastor Jack Arney and Mark Whited will officiate. Burial will be in Burlington Cemetery, Burlington, Indiana.

Friends may visit from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel-A Family Tradition Funeral Home, located at 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, and again from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday at Crossroads Christian Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to University of Evansville College of Engineering and Computer Science in memory of Phil Gerhart, 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net.

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