Jack William Gerlach

Jack "Bud" Gerlach, P.E. passed away on Monday, March 9th 2026 peacefully at home with family by his side.

Jack is survived by his wife of 52 years Jane, son Jeremy, daughter Hilary and fiancé Jeff, and two granddaughters that he adored, Sloane and Kameron.

He is preceded in death by his father Jack R Gerlach, mother Norma Joyce Rundell and brother Paul Edgar Gerlach.

He was born in Dodgeville, WI to Jack and Norma. He graduated from LaFollette High School in Madison WI and earned his civil engineering degree from UW-Platteville in 1975.

After meeting his wife Jane at UW-P, they married and moved to Eau Claire, WI to start his career with the City of Eau Claire as a civil engineer. He worked for the city for 25 years and completed many projects as the Superintendent of Street Division.

Jack's legacy remains in Eau Claire by negotiating with CNW Railroad to preserve the only "S" curve railroad bridge left in the nation which was turned into a walk bridge. He was also very proud of his design, environmental study and construction of the North Crossing and was the one who named it. Jack also pioneered the use of toilet paper over liquid crack sealing to keep the tar off of vehicles, which is a technique widely used today.

His next move was to Porterfield, WI to be the Marinette County Highway Commissioner for 10 years. He loved his work and cherished his employees over the years, always putting their safety first.

"Retired" in 2006, Jack and Jane relocated back to Chippewa Falls, WI, where he worked for the State of Wisconsin teaching highway worker safety classes, instituted a program to identify dangerous roads based on safety data, and redesigned the biggest offenders. He finally ended his career by serving as the Operations Superintendent of the Chippewa County Highway Department.

Jack's family meant the world to him and he shared his many outdoor hobbies with them. Countless hours of skiing, biking, canoeing, camping, coaching kids' sports teams, golfing and hunting. He served on the Chippewa Valley BSA executive board and was an active Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader for many years. He loved fishing for muskies the most and was honored to serve as the First Wisconsin Muskie's Inc. Chapter 6 treasurer for 20 years. He spent many wonderful hours watching the river go by at his cabin on the Flambeau.

Jack was kind, humble, polite, intelligent, quiet and the most honest person you've ever known. He was always willing to help anyone, anywhere, anytime. He had a spectacular sense of humor and was always ready with a smart comeback.

He dedicated his life to his family and was able to go to Oahu with his wife, son and granddaughters over the 2025 holidays. He was a history buff and thrilled to see Pearl Harbor/Schofield Army Base where his father served in WWII.

Our family has decided to honor his wishes by not having a public memorial service. Jack will be laid to rest at a future date in Rock Church Cemetery in Livingston, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the First Wisconsin Muskie's Inc. Chapter 6 (PO Box 122, Chippewa Falls WI 54729 or any US Bank Location), any charity of your choice, or just take a kid fishing.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.