Richard Gerstner

Richard Louis Gerstner, age 68 of Kalamazoo, MI passed away during a surgical procedure at Bronson Methodist Hospital on Monday, November 16, 2020 after a long battle with many health issues. He enjoyed his last morning looking out over a sunny Kalamazoo where he lived his entire life, sitting with his daughter Sarah who took care of him in recent years. He passed away in the same part of the hospital where many many years ago he played in his grandfather’s medical office as a child, his life came full circle. Rick grew up in Richland, had many businesses in the Kalamazoo area over the decades, raised his kids in Portage and was taken care of in his final months at the Laurels of Bedford. He loved his kids, cars, cats, flying and talking to anyone who would listen to his stories. Rick is survived by his daughter, Sarah Gerstner (Nick Schwartz) of Schoolcraft and son, Michael Gerstner of Portage; his two grandchildren Amelia and Carson Gerstner of Portage; his beloved cats Abbie and Kate; close friends who were with him until the end Brian Taylor of Cassopolis and Charles O'Donnell of Venice, FL. Per his wishes, he will be cremated and scattered from an airplane, no memorial will be held. He was very proud of his daughter's "adopt-a-thons" and would tell every listening ear about her one eyed cat named Jack. We are asking for memorial donations to go to Animal's Best Friend Fund, PO Box 443, Oshtemo, MI 49077. www.animalsbestfriendfund.org Cremation is being handled by Grand Rapids Cremation Services www.grcremation.com/