Obituary of Gerhard John SUHR

Gerhard "Gerry" J. Suhr passed away on June 22nd, 2003 at his residenc in Lake Havasu City, AZ. He was born on May 16th, 1937 in Elgin, Nebraska.Gerry moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ; 8 years ago from Norfolk, Nebraska. He worked as an instructor for Kelly Services, Ford Proving Grounds in Yucca, AZ; for 2 l/2 years.Gerry's passion for cars led him in a career in the automotive field. He was service manager at Shaffer Pontiac-Buick in Norfolk, Nebraska for 12 years. In 1969, he helped develop the automotive program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. In 1973, Gerry incorporated the co-op feature in the auto technology program and in the same year he was voted Outstanding Educator. He retired from the college in 1995.Gerry received his Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education in 1975 and in 1998 he received the Ameritus Award.Along with teaching, Gerry raced both open-wheeled and full-bodied race cars from 1965 until 1987. He ended his automotive career at the Ford Proving Grounds in Yucca, Arizona as a test driver, loving the high speed track the most. This ended a full circle in his automotive career, as he started his career working on Fords in 1954.Gerry was a member of the Lake Havasu Eagles and the Moose Lodge. In the past seven years, he turned his energy to his golf game with as much passion as he did with his career with automobiles. He shot a hole in one on No. 3 at the Havasu Island Golf Course.He is survived by his loving wife Bev Suhr of Lake Havasu City, AZ; son Travis Jerry Suhr, stepons Ken and Kevin Palmer, daughters Victoria Sullivan, Tamara Brown, Tiffany Nicole Roman, stepdaughter Kristy Braithwait, brothers Adolph Suhr, Alvin Suhr and 14 grandchildren.Visitation will be held at Johnson-Stonacek Funeral Home in Norfold, NE; on Sunday, June 29th, 2003 from 4 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held at Johnson-Stonacek Funeral Home, Monday, June 30th, 2003 at 2:00 PM with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Norfolk, NE.Arrangements were made by Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home.