Jack Allen Gerlovich

Jack Allen Gerlovich, who was born in Duluth, MN on June 14, 1946, passed away at Prairie Hills Memory Care in Des Moines, IA on June 26, 2019.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ernst Funeral Home, 80 NE Dartmoor Drive, Waukee.  Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 900 South Warrior Lane, Waukee.

Dr. Jack Gerlovich (or Dr. G as he was known by many) was a science safety consultant, author, founder of JaKel, Inc. and was a tenure Professor of Science Education/Safety at Drake University.  Dr. G was the recipient of several prestigious awards such as the Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor Award in 2000, the Outstanding Young Almumus of Buena Vista, the Outstanding Service Award from the Iowa Academy of Science and the Outstanding Aerospace Award. He was also the State Science Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education for 11 years.  

Dr. G. taught science for a total of 25 years at the high school through collegiate levels. He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, former President of the Council of State Science Supervisors (1985-87), former member of the Board of Directors of the National Science Teachers Association (1985-87), member of the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Sciences, former President of the Iowa Council of Science Supervisors and fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Academy of Science (1985-87). Dr. G co-authored five books relative to science safety, conducted safety assessments of nearly 100 school science programs and served as an expert witness in the legal defense of science teachers and students. He had published nearly 50 articles in professional journals and presented extensively throughout the nation in the field of science/education. Dr. G was also a Search and Rescue Pilot for the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. He traveled across the country as science safety consultant for numerous high schools and universities including Princeton and Harvard.

Dr. G loved to play the classical guitar, fly commercial and personal airplanes, travel with his family and play with his grandchildren. He was also an avid animal lover; but most of all he enjoyed being around his family and his students. Dr. G will always be remembered as a professor with an open door.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Fran Gerlovich. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Gerlovich; two daughters Jacqueline (Brock) Uhlenberg and Kelly (Brian) Joseph; and his five grandchildren Isabella, Grace, Roman, Odin and Marren.