A. Frederick Gerstell, 81 of Santa Barbara, CA, died February 23, 2019 after a long illness. Born and raised in Easton, PA, he was a son of the late Alice (Roeth) and Robert S. Gerstell. He graduated from The Lawrenceville School in 1956 and earned a B.A. from Princeton University in 1960. He served in the United States Army and joined The Alpha Portland Cement Company, of which his grandfather, A. F. Gerstell, was an early president. Fred then moved to Los Angeles, CA to work for the California Portland Cement Company, later becoming the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CalMat and Vulcan Materials. He served as Director of Northern Trust Co. of California and the Ameron Co. of Los Angeles. He was on the Board of Governors of the American Business Conference Foundation for Economic Growth in Washington, DC and served on the Board of the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History. He was also a Director of the Charitable Trust of the Beavers, the California Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA of Los Angeles. In addition, he is a Trustee Emeritus of The Lawrenceville School. Fred will be remembered for his love of Princeton, joy in playing a great round of golf, weaving a good story, dancing the night away and playing a tune on his harmonica.
He is survived by his daughters: Alison Smith, Andrea Lukens, Daphne Ford and their husbands; four grandchildren; a sister: Roberta Bennett; cousins and nieces. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a sister Mary Alice Neary.
Services will be held 11 AM Friday (Mar. 1) at College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA followed by interment in Easton Cemetery. Arrangements: Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the A. F. Gerstell and Robert S. Gerstell Memorial Scholarship Fund of Princeton University. His family wishes to thank the many kind and patient friends, family and caregivers Fred had over the past several years. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com
Paul Cisek
February 28, 2019 at 3:29 pm
I exchanged and enjoyed many laughs with Fred both at his home and in the locker room of the Valley Club
He was so kind to share his WWII collection, with others. He was always up to tell a great story.
He will be remembered, and yes his harmonica, never far away.
Constantine M. Voyagis, M.D.
February 28, 2019 at 7:26 pm
My condolences to the Gerstell family on the passing of Fred.
Robert Murray
March 1, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Fred was my wonderful roommate at Princeton. We were also in each other’s weddings. We each were longtime members of Rolling Rock Club. Fred was particularly nice to me when my son was married in Los Angeles where I knew few people. We would have spent a lot of time together if I had lived in his part of the country. I will miss him! Sincerely, Bob Murray
Bob Hardwick
March 6, 2019 at 11:26 pm
I knew Fred as a wonderful gentleman and friend who had a great love of music, including dance music. He possessed natural rhythm and a fondness for dancing, that prompted him often to “dance the night away”(as noted in his obituary) on many occasions to our orchestra. He engaged our band numerous times when he lived on the East Coast and later when he moved to LA. I will remember the good times with Fred, his great sense of fun, and his frequent desire to entertain his friends with his imaginative dance parties and his harmonica. My sincere sympathy and condolences to the Gerstell Family.
Bob Hardwick