Oswin G. and David N. Gerber Scholarship

Oswin George Gerber and his uncle David Nussbaum Gerber both grew up in eastern Ohio but took different paths in life. Both men are important in the history of the Gerber family according to John Gerber, creator of the Oswin and David Gerber Scholarship.

Oswin George Gerber (known as George) was the son of Jacob and Lydia Gerber Gerber who farmed near Kidron, Ohio.  When he was 21, George enrolled in the Goshen College Academy and went on to graduate from Goshen College with majors in history and Bible in 1937. During his career George was a school teacher, principal, and salesperson of educational materials. He and his family moved from Ohio to Illinois in the 1950’s as he pursued his career in sales and management with The Lincoln Library of Essential Information. George and his wife Luella were involved in the Mennonite Church wherever they lived, especially in the area of music. Their two children are Mary Kay (who died in 1975) and John. George passed away in 1987 and Luella in 1995.

David Gerber grew up a generation before George and did not have the opportunity to attend college. Instead he became a skilled blacksmith. He was “a colorful character and something of a favorite uncle to my father,” according to John. Because of his unorthodox behavior, David wasn’t fully accepted in the church. He died in 1921 at the age of 41.