Herman “Bud” Charles Gehnrich, 97, died in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2025 at Waterstone in Wellesley, MA.
After living for 96 years in New York, Bud moved to Wellesley, Massachusetts two years ago to be near to his family. However, he remained a New Yorker through and through. He loved the Yankees, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Morgan Library, and his Long Island home and garden. Born in 1927, in Queens, he attended the prestigious Brooklyn Tech High School, and served in the Army as staff sergeant during WWII. After graduating from Stevens Institute of Technology in mechanical engineering he married his sweetheart, Anita Doscher, with whom he had three children, Karen, Stephen, and Richard. Anita predeceased him in 2004.
In 2006, Bud married Ruth Schumacher Ahlf, who predeceased him in 2018.
Bud was a man of many interests and talents. In addition to running the 5th-generation family business, Gehnrich Oven Sales, he served on the South Huntington School Board for more than two decades – including 18 years as president. He was a champion of the integration of schools long before it became legislated and believed in providing an education that would explore the full potential of every child. .
In his much-loved garden in West Hills, Bud became passionate about growing and hybridizing Rhododendrons. His interest led him to become a 25-year member of the American Rhododendron Society, serving in several roles, including President. Bud also served on the board at the Heckscher Museum in Huntington, helping to plan and oversee construction of a major addition to the Museum.
In addition to volunteer activities and gardening, Bud enjoyed travel, and spending time with his family and many friends. He leaves behind his daughter Karen Bechtel Perkins (Bill) of Concord, MA; his son Stephen Gehnrich (Pauline) of Woolwich, ME; his son Richard Gehnrich (Cynde) of Jaffrey, NH; his stepdaughter Linda Martin (Joe) of Tannersville, PA; and his stepson Chris Ahlf of Greenville, SC. He also leaves five grandchildren; Andrew; Matthew; Jennifer; Allison; and Victoria; and nine great-grandchildren, as well as many friends and colleagues.
When asked about how he would want to be remembered, Bud replied, “I would want people to know that I cared about everyone.”
The family is grateful to the caregivers who were so kind and attentive in the last year and a half of Bud’s life.
A celebration of his life will be private.