Peter Gerson, 83, of Mission Hills and Aspen, Colo., passed away Wednesday night, Oct. 10, 2012, due to complications from pancreatic cancer, diagnosed 18 months ago.
His memory was honored with a memorial service Thursday, Oct. 18, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. The family suggests donations in memory of Peter be made to the Jewish Community Foundation and mailed to Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Peter Gerson Scholarship Fund, 5801 W. 115th Street, Suite 104, Overland Park, KS 66211.
Peter was born on Aug. 21, 1929, in Duisburg, Germany. He came to the United States in 1937 at age 9 along with his brother Kurt and parents Oscar and Antonie Gerson.
Peter attended Southwest High School and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.
He joined the family wholesale jewelry business, The Gerson Company, in 1952 and had a sales territory of Oklahoma and Kansas selling fashion jewelry to retail stores. Together with his brother Kurt, they provided the leadership and direction in building the family business into one of the largest wholesale jewelry companies in the United States. His entrepreneurial spirit led the company in additional directions and laid the foundation to what is today a diversified, third generation, now 70-year-old, owned and operated corporation.
After dedicating more than 50 years to the business, he began spending more time in Aspen, “his paradise,” cherishing all four seasons. He was the ultimate athlete and adventurer. He skied, biked, swam, hiked, practiced yoga and loved to go mushrooming in undiscovered places.
Peter was a voracious reader and traveled the world throughout his lifetime.
Above all else, Peter’s greatest love was his family, which includes his wife Julie, three children and their spouses, and eight grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Julie; daughter, Liz and husband John Hjalmarson; son, Jim Gerson and wife Katie; and son, John Gerson and wife Lynn. He relished the time spent with his grandkids, Sara, Kathryn and JJ Hjalmarson, Jacob and Elizabeth Gerson, and Hannah, Ellie and Jack Gerson.
Peter maintained a lifelong passion and commitment to myriad organizations in the community. Jewish philanthropies and the arts, such as the KC Symphony, Harriman-Jewell Program, the Nelson-Atkins Museum and the Aspen Music Festival were most important.
Peter’s wishes were that his body be cremated and his ashes scattered in Aspen.
Online condolences may be shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.