Richard Gerths

Richard N. Gerths Jr. "Scooter", age 68, of Chatfield, MN passed away with his family at his side on July 12, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary's Campus after a valiantly fought fight from heart surgery.

Richard Norris Gerths Jr. was born May 14, 1957 in Rochester, MN the son of Richard Sr. and Norma (Ferguson) Gerths. He was a 1975 graduate of Mayo High School and attended meat cutting school in Pipestone, MN in 1976. On December 14, 1981, he was initiated into the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #6. Throughout his 32 year career as a journeyman he worked for HIMEC and then Hybrid Mechnical until his retirement in 2013.

Richard was united in marriage to Joan Salsman on December 6, 1978 and were blessed with two children, Eric and Victoria. They made their home in rural Chatfield where Richard used his creative mind and talent to design, build, and fix anything. He loved the outdoors including fishing and hunting, and even purchased a remote island in Canada to enjoy many more fishing adventures.

Richard is survived by his wife, Joan Gerths of Chatfield, MN; his children, Eric Gerths of Rochester, MN and Victoria Brummond of Minneapolis, MN; his siblings, Cathy (Kevin) Solem of Cochrane, WI, Debby Babcock of Alton, IA and Laurie (Ric) Marzolf of Wabasha, MN; and his best friend, Scott Abolt.

He is preceded in death by parents and brother-in-law, Marvin Babcock.

The family is having a private service for Richard. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held for family and friends and announced at a later date.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Gerths family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.