Guy Gertsch

Guy Eugene Gertsch, 74, passed away in the presence of his loved ones early Monday morning, November 27, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He leaves behind his wife, Mary Nelle Gertsch; his daughter, Sabra Gertsch; his sons Zachary Gertsch (wife Jenifer) and Zane Gertsch (wife Heidi); and his granddaughter Zadie Lee Gertsch.

Born on Independence Day, July 4, 1943, in Paris, Idaho, Guy was raised in Pocatello by his father, Ezra Eugene Gertsch, and mother, Lucille Brimhall Gertsch. He became a star athlete as an All-American running back for the Pocatello High School Indians football team, and state champion runner for the track team. He even broke his older brother’s state record in the half mile. Guy is survived by his brothers Darrell and Grant Gertsch, and sister Darlene Gertsch.

After attending West Point and serving in the United States Army, Guy enrolled at the University of Utah and graduated in 1971. He remained in the Salt Lake area and raised his three beloved children, with whom he shared his love for writing, running, learning, exploring, daring and dreaming. His proudest moments were watching his children bring those passions to life.

Guy became an elite runner in distances ranging from 5K to the marathon, and in 1982 he raced to an unbelievable finish in the Boston Marathon. In his determination, he ignored the growing pain in his thigh and completed the last 19 miles with a broken femur. His achievement and collapse at the finish line made national headlines. He endured a grueling recovery and quickly returned to the road, enjoying a long career of running and winning.

After freelancing for many years as a magazine writer and editor, Guy’s first book was published in 2009. ‘Following Lewis and Clark’ chronicles his 4200-mile trek along the historical trail that he began 200 years after the famed discoverers. His adventurous spirit and love of history carried him 25 miles a day to the finish in Astoria, Oregon, on his 62nd birthday. He also walked the Bozeman Trail and explored historical sites across the West, everywhere from Death Valley to the Little Bighorn. He went on to publish three more novels, including ‘The Near Side of Forever,’ released earlier this year.

In 2013 Guy married his sweetheart, Mary Nelle Holman, whom he first met over 50 years earlier at Alameda Junior High, both eventually graduating from Pocatello High. They were sealed for time and eternity in the LDS temple in Bountiful, February 10, 2017. Through their union his family grew to include four more children, Brady Edwards, Cary Edwards, Heather Eaton, and M.E. Lloyd, their spouses and many more grandchildren. His passions for writing, travel and family continued to thrive throughout the last years of his life from their loving home in Centerville, Utah.

Guy, our cherished husband, father and grandfather, will be remembered for his lonesome wanderings, his brilliant storytelling, his cowboy attitude, and his fierce commitment to those he loved.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning, December 1, 2017, preceded by a viewing at 9:45 – 10:45, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1298 North 400 West, Centerville, Utah.

“Sedentary recall is okay, I guess, especially if all doings are done and remembering is satisfying." — Guy Gertsch