Obituary for Butch Gehrig
Rudy “Butch” Gehrig six years ago, Butch was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration. It is a dementia that attacks the brain and the body. He tried very hard to keep doing what he loved and never complained. His body finally wore out and on February 15th, 2021.
Butch was born November 28, 1956 and was 64 years of age at the time of his passing. Butch may have been born at The Hood River Memorial Hospital but from there after he wanted it known he was from Odell. Butch was the sixth of nine children born to Rudy and Margaret Gehrig. He was right in the middle of six sisters, with his two brothers being the eldest. He had a great childhood playing with his siblings, cousins and friends who became life long buddies. He graduated in 1975 and enjoyed every reunion.
In 1976, a sixteen-year-old girl caught his eye. He and Patricia Farley had their first date in a care they still own; Butch’s 1966 Chevelle Beaumont. He told her he thought he’d would scare her off if he brought his 55’ Chevy. May 22, 1982 Butch and Patricia married surrounded by hundreds of family and friends.
In 1981, his father retired and turned the reins of Gehrig’s Chevron over to Butch. With Patricia as bookkeeper and Butch doing what he loved best – they have had a great 40 years serving the community he loved.
Service to the community was very important to Butch. He judged many Boy Scout cake contests. He served on the Odell Sanitary District Board for 32 years. Butch also served 23 years on the Hood River Electric CO-OP Board, the last few as the Board President. He was on the Leadership Committee at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Butch is survived by his wife, Patricia Gehrig; sons, Joe Gehrig and Paco Salazar; brother; five sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. He loved them all dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Dan and sister, Jenni.
Services for Butch are planned as follows;
A time of viewing is planned for 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with Rosary prayed at 5:00 p.m.), Sunday, February 21st, 2021 at Anderson's Tribute Center,1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
A private Catholic Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 22nd, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Butch’s service will be live streamed at a link can be accessed at www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com there is also an interactive guestbook here for memories to be shared with family.
A public committal service will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 1235 Tucker Rd, Hood River, OR 97031.
Donations can be made to; The WyEast Fire District, Hospice of the Gorge or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to access guestbook and webcast links.
Butch was born November 28, 1956 and was 64 years of age at the time of his passing. Butch may have been born at The Hood River Memorial Hospital but from there after he wanted it known he was from Odell. Butch was the sixth of nine children born to Rudy and Margaret Gehrig. He was right in the middle of six sisters, with his two brothers being the eldest. He had a great childhood playing with his siblings, cousins and friends who became life long buddies. He graduated in 1975 and enjoyed every reunion.
In 1976, a sixteen-year-old girl caught his eye. He and Patricia Farley had their first date in a care they still own; Butch’s 1966 Chevelle Beaumont. He told her he thought he’d would scare her off if he brought his 55’ Chevy. May 22, 1982 Butch and Patricia married surrounded by hundreds of family and friends.
In 1981, his father retired and turned the reins of Gehrig’s Chevron over to Butch. With Patricia as bookkeeper and Butch doing what he loved best – they have had a great 40 years serving the community he loved.
Service to the community was very important to Butch. He judged many Boy Scout cake contests. He served on the Odell Sanitary District Board for 32 years. Butch also served 23 years on the Hood River Electric CO-OP Board, the last few as the Board President. He was on the Leadership Committee at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Butch is survived by his wife, Patricia Gehrig; sons, Joe Gehrig and Paco Salazar; brother; five sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. He loved them all dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Dan and sister, Jenni.
Services for Butch are planned as follows;
A time of viewing is planned for 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with Rosary prayed at 5:00 p.m.), Sunday, February 21st, 2021 at Anderson's Tribute Center,1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
A private Catholic Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 22nd, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Butch’s service will be live streamed at a link can be accessed at www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com there is also an interactive guestbook here for memories to be shared with family.
A public committal service will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 1235 Tucker Rd, Hood River, OR 97031.
Donations can be made to; The WyEast Fire District, Hospice of the Gorge or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to access guestbook and webcast links.