Phil C Gerhart passed away surrounded by his family on May 23, 2022 at the age of 82. Phil was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana.
He served in the Switzerland-Austria Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1959 to 1961. He attended BYU and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and remained a lifelong Cougar fan. Phil also proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1962 to 1971. He had a successful career in geotechnical engineering and was a founding partner of the Gerhart Cole engineering firm. He loved his work and was still out doing field work at the age of 78.
He was married to Anne Laney for 48 years until her death in 2012. He married Janis Dunyon in 2014 and they served together in the Baltimore Maryland Mission from 2016 to 2018. Phil had three children, six step-children, 27 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
He had no greater joy in life than his family and attended as many dance recitals, band concerts, track meets, soccer games, and volleyball games as he possibly could. He celebrated every accomplishment, no matter how minor, and was the first to buy a round of ice cream cones. His handshake was firm, his hugs were tight, and his ears were always ready to listen. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife–Janis, his sister–Marilyn Hollingworth, his children–Suzy Gerhart, Christine Scott (Jody), Dan Gerhart (Dorothy), Amy Bowman (Matt), Julie Bingham (Joe), Todd Dunyon, Ryan Dunyon (Mindy), Emily James (Russell), 27 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Ina Gerhart, his wife Anne Laney Gerhart, his stepdaughter Megan Dunyon, and his granddaughter Katrina Scott.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on May 31, 2022 at the Copperview 8th Ward, 12154 South 3600 West in Riverton. A viewing will be held on May 30, 2022 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Larkin Mortuary Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton, as well as Tuesday prior to the funeral services beginning at 10:00am.
Interment will follow at Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
To view previously held services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.
Phil was a great friend and mentor to me. Although we first became acquainted through working together, I consider Phil to be a great friend. My association with him enriched my life and helped advance my professional career. I was fond of his warm smile and very firm handshake. He was always eager to share his knowledge and work with all involved to find creative and beneficial solutions to difficult challenges. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Phil was a great mentor to me! We first met at the Utah Water Users Conference and when we started talking I learned he was from Great Falls and knew both of my parents! I always appreciated his hugs, his smiles and his willingness to do whatever he could to help.
God Bless You My Friend!!
Sydne Thurber Jacques
Phil was a great friend and mentor. For over 30 years, he provided fantastic guidance and input on projects I worked on from landslide stabilizations, tunnels, pipelines in difficult terrain, dams, deep buried structures, and dewatering. But even more important were the discussions and laughter that took place after the work was done and we were getting ready to leave. Phil always had a glint in his eye.
I wish the very best to all of you. Know that our hearts are with you as you mourn the passing of such a wonderful man. May the Lord be with you, and may the spirit comfort you.
It was an absolute Honor and Pleasure to have had the short time to get to know you and how much you meant to my sister Janis. You were a Good Man! Thanks!
I have known and worked with Phil for 25 years. He was a true gentleman, an expert geotechnical engineer, and a good friend. I learned a lot from him as we worked together to develop solutions to some unique and challenging engineering problems. I will miss his cheerful attitude, the smile on his face, and his firm handshake. I am grateful for the opportunities I had to work with him. The world would be a better place if we were all a little more like Phil.
I express my sincere condolences to all the family left behind. He will be missed by many.
Craig Bagley
Janis, I am deeply saddened by the news of Phil’s passing. My late husband Weston enjoyed Phil’s friendship and he spent quite a bit of time working on little things when Phil was having their home built in Springvale. May you find comfort in the wonderful memories you made while walking through life together. Sending my love Charlene Despain