Born in Boston in 1924, Gershen attended Boston Latin School and Harvard College before enlisting in the Army in 1943. He served as a medic for 26 months in the European Theater of Operations, rising to the rank of sergeant. Following his honorable discharge, he completed his Harvard education and received his PhD in Psychology from Boston University.
His 60-year career as a psychologist included clinical practice, private practice and a long stint as a regional director of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. He was also active in and served as President of the Massachusetts Psychological Association.
In 1998, he moved from Newton to Cape Cod, where he continued to work as a psychologist while also pursuing his passion as an artisan of handmade crafts.
He married Eleanor Slimp in 1951, and their loving marriage continued until her death in 2006. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Bruce Rosenblum and Lori Laitman, Steven Rosenblum and Monique Witt, and Kathryn Rosenblum and Christopher Senie, as well as his eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Grossman Commons, 2240 Iyannough Road, W Barnstable, MA 02668, or to Cape Abilities, at: https://capeabilities.org/
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