Richard T. Gerstner, Lyme Disease Activist, 73

Richard T. Gerstner died July 23 at his home in Stamford at the age of 73.

Growing up in Mineola, Gerstner was the oldest of four sons born to Louis V. Gerstner and Marjorie Gerstner. He graduated from , before receiving a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in chemical engineering and an MBA from Stanford University. 

The former Flyer spent his 30-year career entirely at IBM, before retiring in 1993 as a senior vice president.

After his retirement, Gerstner focused his attention on the diagnosis, treatment and cure for Lyme disease after he contracted the disease in 1987, which went undiagnosed and forcing his premature retirement.

Gerstner partnered with Lyme Research Alliance and was the recipient of the organization’s 2011 Lauren Brooks Hope Award which recognized his sponsorship of a research grant for a new drug treatment for Lyme disease, which is in the final stages of FDA clearance prior to clinical trials 

He also served as the first director of the advisory committee of the Columbia University Medical Center Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Research Center. 

Gerstner is survived by his mother, brothers, Louis and Joseph, wife Mary Joette, daughter Tricia (Gregg) Crump, son David L. Gerstner and five grandchildren. A brother, James, passed away before him. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated on July 27 at the in Stamford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the the Lyme Research Alliance in Stamford.