Walter "Wally" John Gernhardt

Walter “Wally” J. Gernhardt II, 76, of Carmel, passed away in Indianapolis August 8, 2020. He was born August 7, 1944 in Bloomington, IN to Walter J. and Florence (Wagner) Gernhardt.
At a young age Wally moved with his family from Bloomington, where his father worked for RCA, back to Audubon, NJ. At age 17 he moved with them on another relocation to Indianapolis. He attended Camden Catholic HS, but graduated from North Central HS in 1962. He served in the US Army 101st Airborne Division for three years; he volunteered to go to Vietnam and spent 18 months stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base. After his honorable discharge from the Army he started working for Firestone in Noblesville and spent his entire 38-year career with them, retiring as assistant controller with Building Products in 2008. He attended Indiana University in Indianapolis on the GI Bill and received a BS in Business. Wally was a Board Member of the Megan S. Ott Foundation and a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jane Gernhardt Black and brother-in-law Harvey Black.
Wally is survived by his wife, Susan Daw Gernhardt, stepdaughter Dr. Cynthia Hovey (Keith Jones), Carmel, IN, stepson Christopher Hovey (Samantha), Sheridan, IN, five beautiful grandchildren; Gabriel, Garrett, and Lydia Jones and Cameron and Harper Hovey, his sister Carole Gernhardt Johnson (Charles) of Lafayette Hills, PA, sister Sue Gernhardt Shimer (Harry) of Avon IN, brother Dennis Gernhardt (Jeanne) of Lafayette IN, and many nieces and nephews.
Wally and Susan spent 32 wonderful years together. They enjoyed trips to Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head SC, Ft Myers, FL, and Ocean City, NJ with family and was honored to be able to take many wonderful Firestone Master Contractor trips with coworkers and customers. He loved spending time with all his family and looked forward to attending his grandchildren’s baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, and soccer events. He was a car freak, rarely keeping one for more than two years, a “master” at keeping his yard neatly manicured and rewarded himself with relaxing in his hot tub! In 2018 he was honored for his military service by the Greater Lafayette Honor Flight organization with a day trip to Washington DC, along with his brother, to visit many war memorials.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Megan S. Ott Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter or the Indiana Parkinson Foundation.
Services will be private, but can be viewed here.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date due to COVID-19.