Howard Kent Gerber

Our beloved Howard Kent Gerber passed away on October 9, 2024, after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia. He was born on July 15, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Howard John Gerber and Nina Howard and was raised in Bountiful, Utah. He had a wonderful family and upbringing and was so grateful for his heritage.

He was very involved at Davis High School and was a loyal Davis Dart. Kent had a thirst for knowledge and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Political Science. He remained politically active following current events and was a proud Democrat.

In 1956, Kent served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the French mission, where he met his future wife Danielle and her family in Nice, France. He fell in love with the beauty of France, the culture, the food and the opera. He later served in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, Monterey, where he often joked about his time peeling potatoes during KP duty.

Kent and Danielle were married civilly on July 20, 1960, and were then sealed in the Bern, Switzerland Temple a week later. He took over Twin Typographers from his father and uncle Harold, running a successful typesetting business in the Salt Lake Valley with his business partner David Chase until its sale in 1994. He developed cherished friendships with his clients and had an incredible work ethic. Unwilling to retire, he spent another decade working for IC Security Printers.

A man of many passions, Kent loved tennis, travel, hiking, reading, the symphony, opera, theater, ballet, football, basketball, and art. He was a humanist and believed in the importance of kindness and actively opposed racism in all its forms. He gave generously and truly made a difference in people’s lives. He was a true friend and did so much to foster those relationships. He didn’t convert the world, but the world converted him.

Above all, Kent’s greatest joy was his family. He had an incredible way of making them each feel so well loved and cared for. He was devoted to his dearest Danie and went above and beyond in caring for her needs. Kent was a kind, loving and supportive father. He cherished his grandchildren attending their concerts, plays, recitals, sports, and milestones, always beaming with pride.

Kent is preceded in death by his brother Gordon, parents Howard and Nina, mother-in-law Aurelia and many other cherished family members. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Danielle; sister Karol Chase; sister Betty Conner; children Jon Gerber, Patric (Suzan) Gerber, and Chrissie (Christopher) Shill; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren along with many special cousins.

Kent’s family wishes to thank Sunridge Assisted Living of Layton and Atlas Homecare & Hospice for their loving and tender care.

A viewing will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will take place at the same location on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be held at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery, 1640 Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.

Always one for adventure, Kent was looking forward to his next voyage and what it will lead him to. He will be deeply missed and always treasured.