Steve Gerard

Robert Stephen "Steve" Gerard, 64, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Saint Francis Medical Center after a short battle with cancer.

He was born Aug. 10, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Harold Fletcher and Iona Mae Benson Gerard.

After serving in the Army's 101st Airborne Division, Steve married Janet Louise Bieg in 1977 in St. Louis.

After farming for years, Steve started Gerard Financial Services and worked as a chartered financial consultant at Wood and Huston Bank.

An avid cyclist, he was a pioneer of local cycling initiatives and a member of the Velo Girardeau cycling club. Steve loved biking the roads of Cape Girardeau, Southern Illinois and the Florida Keys.

His passions also included community involvement, music, travel, camping, skiing and Cardinals baseball. He never met a stranger and always was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He especially looked forward to an annual anniversary trip to Mexico with his wife.

Steve is survived by his wife, Jan Gerard; daughter, Nicole (Zach) Fratto of Homestead, Florida; a son, Tate Gerard of East Cape Girardeau, Illinois; and grandchildren, Maverick and Collins Gerard.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, H. Lynn Gerard.

A celebration of life open house for family and friends will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Port Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.