Hugh Hudson Gerth

Hugh was born on February 5th, 1942, in Nicollet Minnesota. He was the third child of four to his parents, Harold and Elizabeth (Hudson) Gerth. Before turning one year old, his family moved to Yakima, WA following his father’s job at the local newspaper.

Hugh’s early years were spent in Tieton, where he fondly remembered living in the country, raising goats and rabbits, and long solo bike rides after eating dinner with his family. The Gerths later moved to Yakima where Hugh attended Franklin Junior High and then Eisenhower High school during its inaugural year in 1957. There, he first met Sharon (Bonneville) in an English class aptly taught by Miss Love. They began dating their senior year.

After 2 years at Yakima Valley College, Hugh enlisted in the Navy. Upon competition of the electronic technician school, he was stationed in Sasebo, Japan for duty on the USS Peacock, a mine sweeper. It was on leave from duty that Hugh returned to Yakima, sold his car to purchase a wedding ring, and proposed to Sharon. The couple endured two long years of engagement and countless letters until Sharon could join him in Sasebo. They were married at the American Consulate in Fukoka, Japan. September 29th, 2024 marked their 60th wedding anniversary.

Upon returning to Yakima in 1967, Hugh was hired by Pacific Northwest Bell, in the electronics division. There he worked negotiating changes to communication and even teaching classes before he retired after 35 years.

Hugh’s family grew with the addition of son Karl and Andrea. Family was the heart of Hugh’s life. He generously gave of his time and talents to his children and those in his life by being a Cub Scout leader, as part of Indian Princesses, attending baseball games, band concerts, cross country meets, piano recitals, neighborhood gatherings and church events.

From a very early age, Hugh was a craftsman at heart. A firm believer in RRR (reduce Reuse, Recycle), he was a master in finding new uses for the many reclaimed items that filled his workshop. His true talents show when designing and building cabinets, toys for his children and grandchildren, Christmas decorations, remodeling his home, room by room. He also generously donated his time at church, running and designing video screens for worship, building a Little Free Library, and hand bell tables. For Sharon, among many other pet projects, he designed a dream kitchen with custom built cabinets made by hand.

Photography was one of the first of Hugh’s many hobbies. In fact, the family home had its own darkroom where he taught himself to develop and print his own black and white photos. He continued his passion for nature photography throughout his life and his pictures filled their home. Though as the technology changed, his darkroom became an office where he turned his talents to photo editing.

When at YVC, a professor offered a “B” on an upcoming test for any student willing to participate in a local blood drive. Hugh knew this to be an offer he couldn’t turn down. However, this also inspired the commitment to be a life-long blood donor. Hugh has supported the Red Cross through blood donations since his late teens, through his early 80s.

Hugh was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, now Yakima Covenant, during high school years, returning to worship there with his young family. Friendships formed 50 years ago still remain strong and Hugh was still hosting a men’s coffee meeting on Fridays until this past fall.

Hugh is survived by his wife Sharon (Bonneville), son Karl and daughter-in-law Munira Gerth in Sammamish, daughter Andrea and son-in-law Stanford Peng in San Francisco. Also, 6 cherished grandchildren – Syrah, Sophia and Aidan Gerth, Rose, Charlotte and Clara Peng. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Peter (Vietnam, 1970) and sister Gretchen.

Hugh’s Memorial service will be January 4th, 11:00 am at Yakima Covenant Church.