William & Mary lost a great friend with the recent passing of former football alumnus John Gerdelman '75. 
 
"William & Mary lost one of our most passionate and generous alumni in John Gerdelman. He impacted so many areas of the university community as a student-athlete, alumnus, board member, leader and friend," said Katherine A. Rowe, William & Mary president. "John loved being part of William & Mary and we loved being part of his family. Our hearts go out to John's beloved wife, Sue, his children and entire extended family."
 
"I echo President Rowe's sentiments," said William & Mary Director of Athletics, Samantha K. Huge. "John personified W&M athletics' core values.  A man of uncompromising character, John lived a life of service to his country, W&M, and his community.  We will all miss John and will remember him fondly for the way he cherished Sue, Emily, Mark and their families, his support for his teammates and love of all things TRIBE." 
 
Born in St. Louis, Mo., Gerdelman came to William & Mary out of Amherst Central High School (Amherst, N.Y.).   He graduated as an Academic All-American with a chemistry degree in 1975.
 
"John was a great football player," recollected former teammate, Joseph W. Montgomery '74.  "We lined up across from each other in the huddle before every play. You could count on him to do his job well every time we broke the huddle. That made him a great teammate. He was just as good at everything else he tried in life. That made him a great person."
 
More information on Gerdelman's life of impact can be found in the following piece by The WY Daily.
 
A visitation will be held at Bucktrout Funeral Home, 4124 Ironbound Road Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. followed by a funeral service and reception at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road on Jan. 16 at 1 p.m.