Retired GM Chairman Richard Gerstenberg Dies At 92
DETROIT - Richard C. Gerstenberg, who retired as chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors Corp. in 1974, died at his home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., Thursday following a lengthy illness. He was 92 years old.
Gerstenberg, whose career at General Motors spanned 42 years, served as chairman and CEO from January 1972 to November 1974. He served on the GM Board of Directors from November 1967 through May 1980.
"Dick had many accomplishments over his long and distinguished career at GM," said GM Chairman Jack Smith. "He was known for his high integrity and his deep concern for the well being of the company and its employees. Dick left an impressive legacy and he will be missed."
Gerstenberg is survived by his daughter Christine Graye; son Barry; and two grandchildren, Megan and Lisa Gerstenberg. His late wife was the former Evelyn Hitchingham of Milan, Mich.
Visitation for family and friends in Scottsdale, Ariz., has been scheduled for Sunday, July 14, 2002, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. MST and from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. MST at the Messinger Indian School Mortuary, 7601 East Indian School Rd., Scottsdale.
Visitation for family and friends in Michigan is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, 2002, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT and from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EDT at the A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy, Mich.
Funeral liturgy is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m. EDT Thursday, July 18, 2002, at the funeral home with procession to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4580 Adams Rd., where a funeral mass will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the mass at the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, 350 W. Long Lake, Rd., Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to a scholarship fund established by Gerstenberg as a tribute to his father - The Richard P. Gerstenberg Scholarship Fund, Mohawk High School, Mohawk, N.Y., 13407.
An avid golfer and fly-fisherman, Gerstenberg enjoyed the attention he received for wearing striped shirts, bright ties and even plaid suits in an era marked by gray and blue suits, white shirts, and undistinguished ties, family members said.
Born November 24, 1909, at Little Falls, N.Y., Gerstenberg attended high school at Mohawk. He graduated from The University of Michigan with a bachelor of arts degree in 1931. He joined GM in 1932 as a timekeeper with Frigidaire Division, Dayton, Ohio, was transferred to the Fisher Body Division, Detroit, in 1934, and to General Motors Central Office in 1936.
In 1949, Gerstenberg was named assistant comptroller and in April 1956, became treasurer of the corporation. He was elected vice president in charge of the Financial Staff in 1960, and was elected executive vice president-Finance and a member of the board of directors in November 1967.
From April 1970 to January 1972, Gerstenberg was vice chairman of the board of directors and the chairman of the Finance Committee, with responsibility over the corporation's financial affairs and general jurisdiction over GM's Overseas Operations.
Following retirement, Gerstenberg served as chairman of New Detroit Inc., and was an honorary trustee of William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich. He served as a member of the board of NBD Bancorp Inc., Miles Laboratories Inc., and Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. He also served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation from April 1975 to June 1982.