PUNTA GORDA, Florida — Fred Edward Gehrt III, was born December 16, 1946, in Leesville, LA, to Wanda (Davis) and Fred Gehrt Jr. Fred passed peacefully on Friday, February 16, 2024, while in Hospice in Port Charlotte, FL. Fred was 77 years young.

Fred graduated from University High School in Normal, IL, and attended General Motors Institute before transferring to Illinois State University, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science. Fred joined State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, IL, where he worked in the computer department at the Corporate office. He started as a Systems Analyst and advanced through various roles ultimately contributing as an Enterprise Systems Capacity Planner.

He retired in 2006, after 36 years with the company. In his free time, Fred was a car enthusiast who restored a 65 Mustang convertible that he liked to display at car shows. His enthusiasm for cars started when he assisted his father in working on cars at the Morris Avenue garage. He eventually sold the Mustang to a good friend who continued to improve the car through additional restoration. Fred was also an avid golfer throughout his life and managed to card a hole in one once. Fred also had many hobbies, one was collecting tools, also playing several instruments (banjos, ukuleles and accordions), also competitive marksmanship and chasing his two grandsons around.

Fred met his wife Jeanne at State Farm Insurance while they were both working with computers. They were married on August 25, 1984, in Bloomington, IL, and enjoyed 39 years together. They both retired in 2006, and moved to Punta Gorda, FL, where they helped the housing market by living at three different addresses over the following 17 years.

During their retirement, they liked to travel and visited Europe several times (Italy, England, Scotland, Ireland) in addition to their adventures in the United States. They owned multiple campers which they used to stay in Bloomington during the hot Florida summers. They also toured several national parks in the western United States and introduced their grandson to "real" camping.

Fred and Jeanne both shared a passion for boating and owned a 36 ft Catalina sailboat (Knot Working) which they sailed extensively around Florida and on the Great Lakes. Eventually after selling their sailboat, they bought a 36 ft power boat which they used to visit Key West and enjoy other short trips around their home in Florida.

Fred is survived by his wife Jeanne, who still lives in Punta Gorda, two sons: Kevin, who lives in Solon, OH, with his wife Tracy, and Eric, who lives in Bartlett, IL, with his wife Tina; and two grandsons: Jake and Alex (through Kevin) who are currently attending college at Ohio State.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Alzheimer's Association.