PALM SPRINGS, CA - Well known sports figure Fred Gehrke passed away February 9, 2002 in Palm Springs, CA due to a sudden illness. He was 83.
He was born April 24, 1918 in Salt Lake City, UT
to Fred Richard and Agusta Tichelmann. He attended South High and the University of Utah graduating with a degree in art. Fred was an all-around athlete being named all-conference in football. He also set long-standing records in the javelin. He was the conference diving champion for three years from 1937 to 1939. In 1940 he continued his athletic endeavors with a tremendously successful professional football career. An all-professional halfback with the world champion Cleveland Rams in 1945, he concluded his playing career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. While with the Rams he designed the famous "Ram Horn" helmet and was placed in the NFL Football Hall of Fame for doing so. Fred was also inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. Since childhood he loved airplanes and built beautiful scale models. During World War II, in conjunction with playing football, he worked in the Engineering Design Division of the Northrop Aircraft Co. as a technical illustrator.
He married Jean Correnti November 30, 1963 in North Hollywood. In 1965 they moved to Denver where he went to work for the Denver Broncos as special-teams coach and director of player personnel under head coach Mac Speedie. He was named general manager and vice president in 1976. At the end of that season he fired John Ralston, hired Red Miller, traded for all-pro quarterback Craig Morton, engineered the Orange Crush defense, and orchestrated the teams first ever visit to a Super Bowl in 1978. Jean and Fred moved to Palm Springs in July of 1999. He loved dogs, antiques, airplanes, and golf.
Surviving are his wife Jean Gehrke, Palm Springs, CA; his two brothers William Gehrke, Magna, UT; Walter Gehrke, San Diego, CA; sister Betty McCleary, Coos Bay, OR; also surviving are children Richard Gehrke, Park Hills, MO; Kathryn Jensen, Salt Lake City, UT; Patricia Russon, Salt Lake City, UT; Bonnie Buhler, Winchester, VA; also 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grand children. His parents and sister Ruth preceded him in death.
Services in Palm Springs will be held Wednesday, February 13 at the Palm Springs Mortuary, 69855 East Ramon Rd, Cathedral City, CA at 12 noon.
Funeral services in Salt Lake City will be at the Deseret Mortuary 36 E. 700 S. Friends may call there Friday, Feb. 15 from 9-11:30 a.m. Internment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery at 12 noon.