G. Donald Gerlach ’55

Don died peacefully May 25, 2004, at his home in Pittsburgh.

He was born and raised in Toledo where he attended DeVilbiss High School. At Princeton, he entered the Woodrow Wilson School where he excelled, graduating magna cum laude. He was a member of Tower Club. Don served with the Army in Japan from 1956-57. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1960 and joined Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay in Pittsburgh.

Don became a nationally recognized trust and estates attorney, and a fellow in the American College of Probate Counsel. He was a superb lawyer. His greatest accomplishments were being elected managing partner for nine years and receiving the Shaw Lion, the firm's highest honor.

Don was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations and enjoyed working with First Lutheran Church. He was a loyal Princetonian, attending Reunions and serving as president of the Alumni Association of Western Pennsylvania.

Don married his beloved wife, Betty, in 1959. She died in 1982. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Haskell; sons Greg '84 and Jeff '90; eight grandchildren; a brother, James; and a sister, Judith. To this wonderful family, the class extends its deepest condolences.

The Class of 1955