Dr. Karl Robert Gerlach, Ph.D.

Karl Robert Gerlach was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 28, 1950. His father, Albert, was a scientist, and his mother, Mary Claire, was a nurse. His childhood was never lonely due to the company of his four siblings, Alan, Kenny, Renee, and Rick. He was the second youngest in his family. Karl was a straight A student, which was remarkable since he never had to study. His early education was taught in a Catholic school by nuns. He knew from an early age, around eight or nine, that he wanted to go into the Electrical Engineering (EE) field. Karl received his Bachelor’s degree in EE at the University of Illinois in 1972. After earning his degree, Karl moved down to the Washington D.C. area. Around this time, he began his career at the Naval Research Laboratory as a scientist in radar. As a perk of working for NRL, Karl was able to continue his education and earned a Master’s degree in EE, in 1975, at the George Washington University. Karl completed his formal education at the same institution in 1981, receiving his Ph.D. in EE. Dr. Gerlach was employed at NRL from 1971 to 2009. He invented and developed electronic protection techniques over the last 30 years that will continue to have a significant impact on improving the performance of radar. He retired in 2009 as head of the Advanced Signal Processing Section of the U.S. Naval Research Academy’s Radar Division, Washington, DC. In speaking of Dr. Gerlach's impact, Dr. Eric Mokole, head of NRL's Surveillance Technology Branch, said, Although his prolific publication record and significant contributions to Navy radar systems are extremely impressive and justification enough for this award in my opinion, his greatest legacy may well be the impact of his leadership and mentoring of NRL researchers and of his effect on the international radar community. I think of this impact as a force multiplier in signal processing and military radar for subsequent generations. “I used to tell my guys in the morning, that you should be so excited you’re coming into work, and you don’t know what you’re going to discover that particular day.” - Karl Gerlach Over his career, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including the biggest, being the International 1986 IEEE Radar Systems Panel Award, for being the young engineer of the year. He also was named the recipient of the IEEE Dennis J. Picarl Medal in 2012. Karl was not only a member of the IEEE, he was a fellow. While working at NRL, Karl met his future wife, Linda, while playing for the company softball league. During their twenty-one years of marriage, the couple was blessed with three wonderful children. Their first child was Brian in May of 1985. Their second child, and first girl, Robin was born in June of 1988. Sarah, the youngest, came in August of 1992. Karl had always considered this his greatest achievement in life; being a good father to his three beloved children. As previously stated, Karl was a passionate mentor to those he worked with, but as well to many others in his life. These individuals were lucky enough to be handed down his wisdom and experience, dosed out in countless conversations and visits. His nephew Matt and son-in-law Cody were considered sons 1.1 and 1.2, although the order is often disputed. Karl’s free time was happily spent on his many interests in life. His mathematical understanding of the world made it so he could pick up hobbies and techniques very easily. Karl trained himself to play the guitar in his early 20’s, and he was an expert in his later years. He also learned to play piano. He composed music for both instruments, even though he never learned to read music. Another hobby of Karl’s was hanging out with his feline friends. He loved “George”, who was his first cat. His most recent cat, “Princess Twinkie”, is a very large white cat. He once wrote a rock ballad for her, titled “My Name is Princess.” He was skilled in carpentry; building an extension on the family home. When he was younger, he played on a tennis team, and loved watching it his entire life. Karl’s life was characterized by his quiet strength, gentle nature, constant curiosity, inherent intelligence, and juvenile humor. Out of all of the traits that made up his identity, his love for the people around him was what guided him the most. Karl is and was loved greatly by his family and friends and will be missed forever. Dr. Karl Gerlach left a legacy of scientific innovations and loving memories behind for the world’s betterment. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Karl Robert Gerlach, Ph.D. please visit our Sympathy Store.