Stan Gebhardt

Author of the poem BUT YOU DIDN'T

Stan Gebhardt grew-up in rural Ohio near Bucyrus (which is known as the "Bratwurst Capital of the World"). He attended Ohio State University, majoring in Agricultural Engineering.

Upon returning home from college in the late 1970's he was self-employed as a farmer and as an auctioneer. This career path lasted until 1983 when he joined the Prudential Live Insurance Company. He served as a District Manager in Columbus, Ohio until founding Compu Quest, a computer education for children franchiser.

From 1990 until 1995, he served as Compu Quest's president. Stan is currently self-employed in the insurance brokerage industry.

In addition to writing, his hobbies include fishing, scuba diving, hunting and flying. He and his wife, Evelyn, have just completed building a new home on Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie. The children, Laura (17) and Josh (15) attend school on the "mainland".

BUT YOU DIDN'T was written in the fall of 1990 while Stan was reflecting on the possibility of his own children going to war.

We would like to thank Stan for giving us permission to use his poem on our Veteran's Monument. We are also very grateful that Stan, Evelyn, Laura and Josh are here with us today to take part in our dedication ceremony

Note 1: This article came out during the dedication of this monument around November 11, 2000. This article is a one of two articles centered around our Veterans Monument, located at the Merrick's Veteran Memorial Park, which is located at 1580 Little Whaleneck Road, North Merrick, New York 11566. If you get a chance stop by this park. Thank you.

Note 2: Article courtesy of Post member, Robert Dishman and the Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion.