Robin Gerber

Visitation: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Miles Community College, Room 106.

Graveside Service: Custer County Cemetery.

Robin Gerber, age 48, of Miles City passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010, at her home in Miles City from a heart condition.

Robin was born on January 31, 1961 in Miles City, Montana, the youngest of four children of David Nels and Phyllis (Mulkey) Gerber. Robin attended schools in Miles City and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1979. She continued her education at Miles Community College and University of Montana in Missoula where she went on to earn her masters degree.

In the interest of preserving the culture of southeastern Montana, Robin wrote numerous grants. She founded a genealogical library at the Sacred Heart Convent.She served as a commissioner on the local Historic Preservation Board. In 1999 she instituted the annual Ghost Tour, researching, writing scripts and recruiting ghosts to portray Miles Citys colorful history, and continued producing the tour until 2006. Recently, she had become active in the proposed restoration of the Northern Pacific Depot. Robin had taught Social Sciences and Humanities classes full time at Miles Community College since 1997. In addition to her teaching duties, she was very active in student clubs, activities, and educational conferences. She served as a faculty advisor for the Multicultural Club and developed a theater workshop class, authoring many of the plays that her students performed.

Ms. Gerber distinguished herself as both an esteemed educator and a highly respected colleague. She was chosen as the 2006 Montana State Professor of the Year by the U.S. Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). This prestigious award recognizes professors for their influence on teaching and their outstanding commitment to undergraduate students.

Robin was a prolific writer. Her work included a childrens history of Miles City, a textbook on Montanas Native American tribes, childrens fiction, mystery novels, and numerous plays. At the time of her death, Robin was serving as President of the Barn Players Association and was preparing rehearsals of her childrens play The Pied Piper. Robin gave generously of her time and talent to other local organizations, including the Miles City Womans Club and the Miles City Public Library Board (Chairperson). Those who knew Robin will remember her for her abiding love of animals, especially her three kids, Sadie, Sophie and Ed, for her quirky sense of humor, and for her unfailing kindness to friends in need. Her students and colleagues will remember her as a gifted instructor with a flair for the dramatic. The community will remember her dedication to preserving southeastern Montanas culture and heritage. She is greatly missed.

Robin was preceded in death by her mother in 1996 and her father in 2004.

She leaves behind a brother, Clayton Cook of Columbus, OH; a sister, Nyla (Dick) Morris of Shepherd, MT; and a brother, Dale Gerber of Fort Benton, MT; also her nephew Daniel Newby and his two sons: Daniel and Patrick of Billings, MT and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Miles Community College, Room 106. Interment will follow in the family lot at the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Memorials may be made in Robins name to Miles Community College, Convent Keepers/Ursuline Convent or the East Main Animal Clinic to help pay for stray animals.