Thomas Robert Gerdes

Thomas Robert Gerdes

Thomas Robert Gerdes of Mequon passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after enduring kidney cancer for over five years.

Tom was born on July 16, 1946, in Independence, IA, to Robert Borchers Gerdes (1918–2002) and Ruth Maybelle (née Ashbaugh) Gerdes (1918–1964).

Tom was an extremely proud 1964 graduate of Rufus King High School and always loved meeting fellow “Generals” in the most surprising places. He began his college career at the University of Dubuque, where he served as freshman class president. Later, he transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, graduating with honors in 1972 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

In 1966, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed his military training at Fort Jackson, SC, and Fort Gordon, GA. As a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, he was selected by the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) to work at the White House. From 1967 to 1969, Tom accompanied Presidents Johnson and Nixon on many presidential trips as part of his responsibilities. Tom attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5). While he was extremely grateful for his time with the WHCA, he solemnly mourned each day the passing of 58,000+ service members during the Vietnam War. He cared so deeply about recognizing those heroes that he had a license plate for many years that read, “RMBR NAM.”

After a 2½-year courtship, Tom and Lynn Fraser were united in marriage on June 13, 1970, at North Shore Presbyterian Church in Shorewood. They lived in Whitefish Bay before moving to Cedarburg in 1975, where they lived for 35 years before moving to Mequon in 2010.

Tom built a distinguished 48-year career in finance, marked by leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to doing the right thing and helping others. Over those years, Tom worked in financial positions at companies that included Allis-Chalmers Credit Corp., Manpower, Inc., Marine National Exchange Bank, Banc One Corp., GS², Ltd., B.C. Ziegler and Co., and Ozaukee Bank. In the late 1970s, he formed the Wisconsin Cash Management Association (today, the Wisconsin Treasury Management Association). As his career evolved, Tom realized his true passion and calling was helping people—and he loved it. In 2006, Tom founded his own company, Gerdes Investment Strategies, Inc., in Mequon, where he was a financial advisor and retirement planning specialist until his retirement in 2020. During the last five years, many of his clients still reached out to and supported Tom as a personal friend.

Golf was Tom’s recreational passion for over 60 years. He was co-captain of Rufus King High School’s boys’ golf team. With a distinctive swing and a strong short game, Tom won several area tournaments and league championships. Most recently, he was the 2019 Ozaukee County Golf Tournament Super Senior Champion. Other golf highlights included three rounds under 70 and two holes-in-one. He was a great fan of The Masters Tournament and was the founder and chairman for 23 years of the annual Masters Luncheon, a get-together for a group of golf enthusiasts. It was a dream come true for Tom to have played 54 holes at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA, and to have been a two-time spectator at The Masters Tournament. Golf gave Tom the opportunity to meet new people who became some of his most cherished, long-lasting friends.

Tom’s other interests included travel, reading, family walks, and a lifelong devotion to the Milwaukee Braves and Milwaukee Brewers.

His greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with his family. Tom was their biggest supporter and could be seen in the bleachers of every sporting event, band competition, and concert. He was incredibly proud of all of his family’s personal and professional achievements. His legacy touched many people, but its greatest impact was on his family. He was more than a husband, brother, father, father-in-law, and grandfather—he is their hero.

Tom is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Lynn; proud father of Allison (Michael, Jr.) Wandrey and Kimberly Gerdes (Mitchell Mortimer); beloved grandfather of Matthew Wandrey and Luke Wandrey; cherished brother of Gwen (Dennis) Petersen; and stepbrother of Nancy (Steven) Cefalu and Jeff (Ravinder) Pilson. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Joan (née Desmarais) Gerdes.

Tom’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Abdel Alqwasmi and his team at the Froedtert Menomonee Falls Cancer Care Center for their outstanding knowledge, compassion, and care over the past five years. They also extend their thanks to Horizon Home Care and Hospice for their comfort, support, and assistance.

At Tom’s request, there will be no public service. His family will be gathering privately to honor Tom’s life.