Eugene John Gerber

Eugene Gerber was born in Kingman, Kansas, to Cornelius and Lena (née Tiesmeyer) Gerber. The fourth of seven children, he has two brothers, Jerome and Larry, and four sisters, Kathleen, Helen, Leola, and Joan.[1] At his baptism on May 1, 1931, the officiating priest predicted to Gerber's father, "Some day this boy will become a priest!"[1] He was raised on a farm in Waterloo, and entered Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, in 1945. Two years later, he transferred to Kingman High School, where he was known as a Frank Sinatra look-alike and graduated in 1949.[1]

Gerber studied accounting at Wichita State University before returning to Immaculate Conception Seminary. In May 1955, he graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Denver, Colorado, from where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy (1955), a M.A. in Religious Education (1958), and a Bachelor's in Sacred Theology through the seminary's affiliation with the Catholic University of America. He became a subdeacon and later deacon in 1958.

Gerber was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Mark Carroll on May 19, 1959, and then served as an associate pastor at St. Anne Church and Church of the Magdalen in Wichita. In 1962, he became an instructor at Notre Dame High School, teaching algebra and religion, and working as a guidance counselor. He also served as moderator of the Catholic Youth Organization.

In May 1963, Gerber was named Assistant Chancellor for the Diocese of Wichita and associate pastor of Holy Savior Church. He also earned a Bachelor's Education from Wichita State in June 1963. In addition to his role as Assistant Chancellor, Gerber became secretary to Bishop Leo Bryne and associate pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in August 1964. He was later made Vice Chancellor of the diocese (1965), business manager of the diocesan newspaper (1967), and associate pastor at St. Mary Cathedral (1968).

In 1969, Gerber was appointed to the Governing Board of the Holy Family Center for the mentally disabled. He became diocesan director of the Cursillo movement in 1970, and diocesan Chancellor in 1973. Continuing as Chancellor, he served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church from 1973 to 1975.

In October 1975, he was sent to Rome to undertake his postgraduate studies in theology and Scripture. He received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology summa cum laude from the Angelicum. Upon his return to the United States in February 1976, he resumed his work as Chancellor, as well as becoming chaplain to the Sisters of St. Joseph and Vicar for Religious.

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita Official Site