Obituary of Charles William Gerdts, III

Charles ("Chet") William Gerdts, III, a long time resident of Darien, Connecticut, died peacefully on Thursday, February 16, 2012 in New York City. He was born to Charles W. Gerdts, Jr. and Catherine Marie Jaicks on March 30, 1953 in New York, NY. He graduated from the Cranbrook School in 1971 before attending the University of Michigan, where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was also a member of the honor society Michigama. While studying in Ann Arbor, he met and fell in love with Elizabeth Hume, his future wife. He received his undergraduate B.A. Degree in 1975, followed by his J.D. Degree in 1978 from the Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review. He and Elizabeth married and moved to Manhattan, where Chet began his legal career with the firm of Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine and became a partner of the firm in 1986. After 20 years with Donovan Leisure, he joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, serving as the Managing Partner for the Litigation Department and as a member of the firm's Executive Committee. In 2002, Chet became the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) US firm's General Counsel, serving as the US firm's Chief Risk Officer and advisor to the Board of Partners and Principals. He was a member of the New York City Bar Association's 2006 Task Force on the Lawyer's Role in Corporate Governance, served on the ABA's Presidential Task Force on the Attorney-Client Privilege, was a member of the Vanderbilt University School of Law's National Council and the Board of Directors for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. Chet is survived by his wife of 32 years, Elizabeth Hume Gerdts, his children Emily Eaton Gerdts and Charles W. Gerdts, IV, five brothers, two sisters, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father. The life of Chet will be celebrated on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 1:00pm at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Charles W. Gerdts, III Scholarship Fund, information about which can be found at www.Charlesgerdts.com Chet was a loyal friend and was driven by a belief that everyone should strive to reach their greatest potential. He combined this drive with a sharp intellect, a keen sense of humor, kindness, and a deep love for his family. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820