Sanford Edwin "Sandy" Gerber, PhD

June 16, 1933 - May 16, 2017

Sanford Edwin "Sandy" Gerber, PhD Obituary Sandy was born in Chicago June 16, 1933, to Leon and Rose (Ely) Gerber. His parents, sister Betty, preceded him in death. He received his bachelor's degree from Lake Forest College where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, his Master of Science from the University of Illinois and his doctorate from the University of Southern California. He held certificates of clinical competence in both audiology and speech pathology. He worked after graduation as a researcher in the communications industry and a consultant for public and private institutions. He worked for NSA as an "Expert Research Linguist" for about 15 years. He was a university professor for 35 years. He taught at the University of California, Santa Barbara, CA for 29 years prior to retiring in 1994 when he moved to Spokane to start a department at Eastern Washington University. He then retired for good in 2000. He was often called upon to be a visiting professor at well known universities in the USA and abroad. His special interest was in pediatric audiology. For many years his research laboratory was a newborn nursery, a neonatal care clinic, or a well-baby clinic. He published 14 books and more than 150 journal articles on the subject. He received many awards for this work both nationally and internationally. He traveled extensively both for work and pleasure. Dr. Gerber was included in several "Who's Who" lists. Among them: in America, in American Education and in the West. After his retirement from EWU, Sandy became a member of the Spokane Central Lion's club and was president and Hearing Chair for the district. He was also active in giving back to his community both through his work at Temple Beth Shalom in Spokane and his work for Retarded Citizens both in California and Washington. He married three times: first to Lila Greenberg, mother of his two sons Howard and Michael (Gail) Gerber, second to Louise Borad, mother of his three daughters Naomi and Shoshana (who both preceded him in death) and Sharon Dellimagine (Michael) and finally, for 31 years, to Sharon Doyle. He was fortunate to have loved five grandchildren: Jenica (Jason Visenberg), Adam (Abby Lane), Collin, Chelsea (who preceded him in death) and Anya Dellimagine, and his first great-grandchild Zoe Lane Gerber. After he and Sharon separated he met his dear companion Cheryl Roberts and they remained together until his passing. He was deeply loved and respected by his family, friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed. A graveside service will be held Friday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at Temple Beth Shalom. In lieu of flowers, Sandy asked that donations be made either to the MS Society or to the Scholarship Foundation being opened in his name at EWU.