Father Gerhardt B. Lehmkuhl, S.J. 1942 – 2012

Jesuits of the Missouri Province
NoDate

http://www.jesuitsmissouri.org/files/obits/obLehmkuhlGerhardt.pdf




[with pdf]

Father Gerhardt B. Lehmkuhl, S.J., died in March 2012, while working at his office at Jesuit Hall in St. Louis, Missouri. He was 69 years old and a Jesuit for 50 years. Born in St. Louis on September 24, 1942, Gerhardt attended St. Louis University High School.

He entered the Society of Jesus at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri, on September 1, 1961. Gerhardt completed a B.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in U.S. History at Saint Louis University. He taught American History at Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, Colorado, for three years before returning to St. Louis to complete his Theology studies. Gerhardt was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1974, at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis, Missouri. After ordination, Gerhardt taught History and Social Studies for several years at De Smet Jesuit High School. He completed tertianship at St. Beuno's College in St. Asaph, Wales, and then studied law at Saint Louis University, where he completed his J.D. in 1983.

In 1984, Gerhardt opened a law office at Jesuit Hall in St. Louis, to provide legal services to the poor and elderly of the city. He recruited volunteer law students from Saint Louis University to assist with legal research, enlisted other volunteers to provide clerical help and raised money from friends and alumni to support the operation. With the generous assistance of others, Gerhardt was able to help many people with rental property disputes, tax problems, consumer fraud cases and other legal concerns.

In 1998 Gerhardt worked for a year in the province archives. He then served as a Chaplain at St. Mary's hospital and engaged in other types of pastoral ministry for several years. He returned to his work in legal aid in 2006 and continued that ministry until his death. We will remember Gerhardt

for his sharp mind, his ability to converse on a wide range of topics at great length and his generous heart.

Gerhardt is survived by his sister, Madelyn Kester, and his brothers, David and Leonard. May he rest in peace.