George Frederick Gerbstadt, affectionately known as "Dad", was born on September 25, 1923, in Wayne, Michigan and passed away on September 5, 2024 in Plymouth, Michigan, at the age of 100, only 20 days short of his 101st birthday. His immediate family was there to send him on his journey.

He is survived by his children, Terry Daniel Gerbstadt (Donna) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Gary Frederick Gerbstadt (Rebecca Montgomery) of San Marcos, Texas; Glenda Lorraine Gerbstadt (Howard Watts) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; honorary daughter Michele Serafini (Dan) & granddaughter Gabrielle Henry. George was preceded in death by his father, George Herman Gerbstadt; his mother, Ruth Ella Gerbstadt; his brother, Robert (Bob) Gerbstadt, Wayne, Michigan; and his ex-wife Grace Lorraine Foster, Crafton PA, the mother of his children.

George was educated in Wayne schools and graduated from high school in 1941. He attended a semester at Michigan State College to study the care & maintenance of orchards and one semester at the University of Michigan before the war caught up with him.

George entered the Army Air Corp in January 1943 where he was a Communications Officer based on various islands in the Caribbean. George served in two wars… WW II and the Korean War where he became part of the newly formed Air Force. He was discharged from Active service on June 6, 1946. His dedication to serving his country is a testament to his character and values.

George completed his undergraduate studies with a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1949 and shortly thereafter earned an MBA in 1950, both from the University of Michigan. It was there that he became a diehard Wolverine fan and met Grace Foster, the love of his life. During the final year of his life, nothing made him prouder than the U of M Football National Championship!

George had a long career with the Ford Motor Company where he worked for nearly 40 years in Dearborn, Michigan as an engineer and retired at the age of 70. In addition, George was also a successful real estate entrepreneur which he initially pursued as a hobby but grew into a 2nd career during his retirement years. He owned & leased several commercial buildings in Wayne & Dearborn and also developed a residential neighborhood called the Gerbstadt Subdivision from a 20 acre apple orchard in York Twp Michigan. He was also extraordinarily gifted in managing his own investment portfolio as well as advising his children in their investment strategies.

George's legacy is not only in his professional and military achievements but also in the love and guidance he provided to his children, who were an enormous part of his life. Not only was he a great dad to his own children, he touched and influenced the lives of many other children who looked up to him as a father/grandfather figure as they grew into adulthood.

George had strong family bonds and was fascinated by genealogy. He created a family tree including his father's family from Northern Germany and his mother's family from Paisley, Scotland in the British Isles. His mother & father established their roots & livelihood in Wayne, Michigan by opening The Gerbstadt Bakery where the family lived on the 2nd floor.

Knowledge was a passion of his. He never stopped striving to learn more about this world of ours. George was a brilliant man with an avid thirst for knowledge including interests in history, wildlife (including dinosaurs & apes), ancient civilizations & the evolution of man. He could spend hours talking about history and geology. Just ask any of those who went on road trips with him! He also loved watching animal programs and travel shows.

George loved sports and was quite athletic as well. He played tennis, racquetball, handball and enjoyed swimming, boating, snow & water skiing as well as hiking. He was an avid University of Michigan football & basketball fan. George loved traveling, especially with his children. He introduced Terry, Gary & Glenda to Lake Michigan, the beautiful sand dunes and all that northern Michigan has to offer. He gave his children the thirst for adventure & travel as well.

George's life was a remarkable journey of service, learning and devotion. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.