Youngstown: Robert Paul "Papa" Gerlach, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather died on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012. He served his country in the U.S. Navy on Leyte Island in the Philippines during World War II. Bob was born December 8, 1917 in New Philadelphia, Ohio to the late Paul C. and Lucille (Grimm) Gerlach. He was an electrician for the IBEW Local Union # 64 of Youngstown for 69 years. Bob was an avid outdoorsman and car enthusiast. He and his wife, Ethel traveled 48 states, leaving only Alaska and Hawaii not visited. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, the former Ethel R. Forsyth, whom he married on June 14, 1941, a daughter Diane G. (Nevin) Siefert of Struthers, granddaughters; Tracey Parsons (Roger) Estep, Toledo, Ohio Dana Parsons (Tony) Rich of Boston, Massachusetts, and a grandson Nevin R. Siefert, II of Spring Hill, Florida, nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Lucille, a sister Jane (Warren) Garrard, and a brother Paul Gerlach. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 12:00 noon at Thompson Funeral Home, 4221 Market Street, Boardman. Family and friends may call from 11:00 to 12 noon at the funeral home. The family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions to the donor's charity of choice. Please visit www.Thompsonfh1932.com to view this notice and send condolences.