Larry John Gerbens, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend to many, child of God, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on December 9, 2024. He was born in Grand Rapids on January 21, 1947, the second of three children of Harry and Jane Gerbens.

He attended Sylvan Christian School, Grand Rapids Christian High School, Calvin College (BS '69), and the University of Michigan Medical School (MD '74), followed by an internship at Blodgett Hospital and residency in ophthalmology at the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan.

He was a co-founder and managing partner of Grand Rapids Ophthalmology where he specialized in pediatric ophthalmology and surgery. He regarded his work as a sacred calling to help children and adults see better, and he was beloved and respected for his excellent and compassionate patient care for over 30 years. Frequently, he served on medical missions, most often with the Luke Society, to provide eye care, including trips to Honduras, Mexico, and a very memorable trip to Sierra Leone with his young family for the summer of 1984.

In gratitude to his Lord, Larry served as an elder at Fuller Avenue CRC and most recently at Central Reformed Church as well as on many boards. His 25 years of faith-based education board work included the Grand Rapids Christian Schools, Christian Schools International (CSI), and the Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools (MANS). He also served on the boards of Baxter Community Center and the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Wanting to use his God-given gifts in a new and challenging way, he embarked on a second career in his 60s as a gift officer and mentor for pre-med/pre-health students at Calvin University. In addition to securing gifts for the school, he connected students to community resources and contacts, coached them through med school applications, and provided a listening ear as they navigated heady decisions about their futures. Larry's school and career experiences highlighted the importance of education and strengthened his understanding that God revealed himself in the intricacies of science and medicine. Along with his wife Mary, he established the Gerbens-Gritter scholarship at Calvin which offers a full-ride scholarship to a student in the pre-medicine program.

Larry's deep faith and love of art inspired him to collect original art based on the parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. He and Mary donated the collection to Calvin University where it is available as a traveling exhibit for schools, churches, and museums. The collection of more than 60 pieces, comprised of numerous media including sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and etchings, has been catalogued in the book, The Father & His Two Sons -The Art of Forgiveness. Larry often traveled throughout the United States with the exhibit, joyfully speaking about the great gift of God's unending grace, love, and forgiveness.

Larry adored his family, and they are so grateful for how he modeled the heart and grace of Christ to them. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 55 years, Mary Sue Bajema; children and their spouses Liza and Khan Nedd, Heidi and Chris Bailey, Eric and Nicole Gerbens; grandchildren Michael, Noah, and Olivia Nedd, Mason, Britta, and Anya Bailey, Mika and Beau Gerbens; great grand children Liam and Maxwell Nedd. He is also survived by his brother Dan Gerbens. We know he has joined his parents and his sister Mary Beth in Heaven.

Thank you to Dr. Bruce Langerak, Dr. Jared Knol, the wonderful staff of Corewell Health Cancer and Hematology and also Faith Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to further Larry's legacy may be made to Calvin Seminary or Grand Rapids Christian Schools.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, from 4 to 7 PM at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton Street SE. Funeral services will be held at Central Reformed Church on Saturday, December 14, at 11 AM, with one hour of visitation prior beginning at 10 AM. Private interment to follow.