Thomas Daniel Gerlach

Thomas "Tom" Gerlach, 64, of Derby, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026, surrounded by family. 

Born on March 12, 1962, Tom was the youngest of six and raised in Ft. Recovery, Ohio. He graduated from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1984 with a B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics, and later earned a M.S. in Computer Science from Wichita State University in 1994. Tom carried a deep belief in the importance of education, a value he instilled in his own children.

In 1985, Tom began his career with Boeing while living in Dayton, Ohio, later relocating to Derby, Kansas, to continue with the company. Over the next 40 years, he built a career in computer and information systems with Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, retiring in 2025.

Tom was a devout Catholic who lived his faith quietly and consistently throughout his life. He loved his family fiercely, found joy in running (including watching cross-country races in person and on YouTube), and was a lifelong, die-hard fan of the Cincinnati Bengals. During the Bengals 2022 Super Bowl run, he celebrated each win with a dance, cartwheel, or sprint down the street, dutifully recorded by his wife Diane and subsequently texted to the whole family.

In July 2023, Tom was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, eventually leading to two brain surgeries and numerous treatments. True to his character, he faced it head-on. Post-diagnosis, Tom embraced the philosophy of "get busy living or get busy dying." He traveled with his wife to the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park and went to Dollywood with some of his grandchildren. He also ran four half-marathons after his diagnosis, including one race just two months after his surgery. He watched his son Rob get married, welcomed two new grandchildren into the world, and made time for countless lunches with friends from his working years. He even let his grandchildren paint his toenails before his second surgery.

Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Diane Gerlach. He is also survived by his four children, Chuck Gerlach, Nick Gerlach (Cassie), Rob Gerlach (Rachel), and Jenny Foster (Sam); eleven grandchildren, Katherine and Adam Gerlach, Reagan, Sebastian, Mary Gemma, Desi, and Bernadette Gerlach, Lincoln and Lauren Gerlach, and Sawyer and Franklin Foster; and his five siblings, Kathy, Ken, Jim, Julie, and Gary. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Wilbert Gerlach.

A Rosary and visitation will be held Thursday, July 30, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuary in Derby, Kansas. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 31, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Derby, followed by a graveside service at Hillcrest Cemetery, and luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Derby Building Fund or to Victory in the Valley, Inc.