Obituary: David Fairchild Gebhard Sr., 92, Of Mystic

Written by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes

MYSTIC, CT — David Fairchild Gebhard Sr., 92, of Mystic passed away Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. He was born Nov. 16, 1925, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., the son of the late John G. and Helen L. (Fairchild) Gebhard.

Mr. Gebhard served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mr. Gebhard graduated from Princeton University with a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering.

He retired from Grumman Aerospace on Long Island, N.Y. where he contributed to advanced aircraft design and certification testing of the Lunar Landing Module. He was an active sailor and private pilot.

Mr. Gebhard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley (Wallace) Gebhard; two sons, David F. Gebhard Jr. of East Lyme and Douglas H. Gebhard of Mystic; a daughter, Jennifer L. Gebhard of Greenlawn, N.Y.; a brother, John G. Gebhard III of Palos Verde Peninsula, Calif.; and four grandchildren.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic, with a service to follow at 7 p.m.

To send the family an online condolence please visit Mr. Gebhard's online memorial page at www.neialnfuneralhome.com.

Photo credit: Shutterstock