Paul Robert Gertsch

On October 21, 2020, Paul Robert Gertsch left this earth.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer; his mother, Ruth; a sister, Ruth; and a brother who died at birth. His favorite cousin, Roland Cole, passed away shortly after his death. Ironically, Paul passed away in the little town of Kootenai where his friend, Tom Spade was born. Thank you to the many people at Hearthstone, who were there for Paul.

Paul is survived by his old Navy buddy, lifelong friend and brother of the heart, Tom Spade; his wife, Barbara; nieces, Laura (Jeff) Sweeney, and Linda Spade; great-nieces, Alissa (Justin) Lantrip and Tristen (Richard) Yates; great-nephews, Jacob and Kyle Sweeney; and great-grandnieces and nephews Evelyn Walker, Ophelia Lantrip, Holly Yates, Peyton and Preston Yates.

Paul Robert Gertsch was born to Elmer Paul Gertsch and Ruth Eleanor Runswick Gertsch on July 6, 1940, in Camden New Jersey. Paul, his parents and older sister, Ruthi,e moved to California when he was a young child. He attended all 12 years of school there. During his high school years, he lettered in track and belonged to the "Hot Heads,” a local car club.

After graduating high school in 1958, Paul joined the United States Navy. Paul and Tom were in

reciprocating engine shop in North Island, San Diego, California. Together, they changed many aircraft engines. They went on many liberties in Paul's 1956 Chevy convertible. He spent time at the naval base in San Diego and attended several training schools in various states, such as Oklahoma and Tennessee. Paul was an aircraft mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1962.

Paul's work in engineering took him to Michigan, as well as all over the world. In 1993, his work took him to France and, from 1994 through 1999, it took him to Japan, where he made many friends while working on the ITER. Also, in 1995, his engineering work took him to Switzerland and Germany.

He worked for General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics as a lead engineer on many space projects. Several of his patents were used in the USA space program. He was the United States delegate to Japan when he was working on the ITER.

Paul enjoyed dining at different restaurants and trying new foods. His favorite pastimes in San Diego, besides eating at different places, was going to various museums and visiting the Japanese Gardens.

His favorite way of relaxing was coming to North Idaho and spending time with friends and his family, the Tom Spades. His first visit to Sandpoint, Idaho, was in 1970. He enjoyed the snow, visiting with friends and skiing on Schweitzer at that time. He loved picnics and get-togethers, playing games with the family, and looking at various properties. In later years, he bought property in Idaho and spent every moment he could enjoying the North Idaho scenery.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial to celebrate Paul's life on September 11, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. at 2767 Sunnyside Road. A potluck meal will be held following the memorial.