Arsene William Gerber Jr.

Arsene William Gerber Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, at Four Seasons Hospice in Flat Rock, NC, following a courageous and long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Olean, NY, on March 29, 1947, Arsene's life was a journey through many beloved communities. He spent 40 years in Buffalo, NY, before moving to Kenosha, WI, where he lived for three decades. Upon retirement, Arsene and his wife, Sue, moved to the mountains of Asheville, NC, to enjoy the natural beauty and quiet of the outdoors.

Arsene was a man of many talents-possessing both the steady hands of a craftsman and the quick wit of a performer. While living in Kenosha, he was an active and vibrant member of the Lakeside Players. Known for his sharp comedic sense of humor, he brought laughter to the stage and built bonds that spanned decades. The depth of those friendships was evident as his theater friends remained a constant in his life, traveling to the mountains to visit him and share in his stories until the very end.

When not on stage, Arsene was a loving husband and father who always put his family first. He was a true steward of his home, believing that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right-a philosophy reflected in everything he touched. Even after moving away, his Buffalo roots ran deep; if you saw Arsene out and about, he was usually sporting his Buffalo Bills shirt and hat. His quiet strength and resilience remained steadfast during his final illness, which he faced with the same grace and humor that characterized his entire life.

Arsene has now been joyfully reunited with his beloved daughter, Kristi Lynn, who preceded him in death on April 10, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, and his sister.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan Gerber; his children, Todd (Heather) Gerber and Keith (Priscilla King) Gerber; and his cherished grandchildren, Kenzie and Elise. He is also survived by his sister and two brothers, as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless friends who will forever cherish his legacy of dedication, humor, and unconditional love.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff at the Carolina BioOncology Institute, Messino Cancer Center, and the Four Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

A celebration of life will be held in Kenosha, WI, at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the family would be greatly appreciated to help honor Arsene's memory and final wishes.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arsene William Gerber Jr., please visit our floral store.