Richard Louis Gerding

Richard Louis Gerding “Dick” was born July 8, 1938 in Denver Colorado. He passed away peacefully on Monday, December 23, 2024.

His family eventually relocated to Albuquerque, NM where he graduated from Highland High School. After high school he and his twin brother enlisted in the Army, where they served 6 months. When they returned to Albuquerque, they enrolled at the University of New Mexico where he studied English and they joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After he completed his B.B.A. in English he decided to go on to law school. He graduated in 1961 with his J.D. 

Upon passing the state bar exam he moved to Farmington where he quickly became a well-known and talented attorney. A few of his awards and accomplishments are:

 1995 – Inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers

 2003 – New Mexico Bar Association’s Professionalism Award

 2004 – New Mexico Trial Lawyers – Professionalism Award

 2005 – New Mexico School of Law – Distinguished Achievement Award

 2006 – Selected for Roehl Circle of Honor for Trial Attorneys

 2006 – Super Lawyers of the Southwest in area of Alternative Dispute Resolution

 2016 – San Jaun Regional Medical Center – Hall of Fame

 2022 – Farmington Library – Library Amigo Award

His interests included flying his Cessna 182 airplane, reading and helping the local library by serving on the Board, fly fishing, tying his own flies and taking any opportunity to teach people, especially children, about the joys of fishing. Because of his love of fishing and children he worked with the Four Corners Home for Children to create the San Juan Bi-Fly tournament as a charitable event. He was involved with this event for 28 years. His love of fishing took him on many adventures including a trip to Mongolia to fish.

Dick was proceeded in death by his mother Claribel Gerding, father Louis Gerding, Sister Clarilou Bryce, Twin Brother Robert “Bob” Gerding and step-mother Millie White Gerding. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eileen Hutchison Gerding, his daughter Christine and wife Bett, his son Daivd and wife Shelly and their two sons, Ian and Ben Gerding and his step-sister Millie McMahon.

Services will be held on Monday January 6, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church, 865 Dustin Ave, Farmington, New Mexico at 10 am.

Many heartfelt thanks to Three Rivers Estates Staff and Basin Home Health Hospice who made this journey as easy as possible.

Memorials can be made to the Four Corners Home for Children, PO Box 1230, Farmington, NM 87401 or the charity of your choice.