Gerald A Darsch

Gerald Darsch (Jerry), loving husband, wonderful father, and amazing grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.  He was able to spend his last weekend surrounded by people who loved and cared for him deeply.

Jerry was an incredible man who accomplished more than most in his lifetime. He was the director of DoD Combat Feeding at U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. He spearheaded the creation of MRE’s, flame-less ration heating devices, sustainable astronaut food and many other innovative technologies.

He worked with the Pentagon and Col. Powell during the Gulf war to completely revamp feeding soldiers. He worked with Hershey to create chocolate that wouldn’t melt during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He worked with Walmart to create the first RFID technology to track shipments being airdropped to soldiers in war torn countries. He paved the way for ration standardization in NATO. He met so many generals, presidents, foreign leaders. We could go on and on with his professional accomplishments.

But to his family, Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. Jerry and Beverley were together for almost 50 years. He was Beverley’s everything; he made her laugh, protected her, and was her best friend. He always tried to make his family’s dreams come true.

To his kids, he was their dad. He spent countless hours playing softball and baseball, teaching them how to properly handle and shoot weapons. He loved to take his kids fishing, clamming and camping.

He was the best on the grill (no one made a better chicken wing) and he loved listening to music. He also loved nothing more than sharing an extra buttery bowl of popcorn with his family while watching cheesy Grade-B action movies.

These last few years, he enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports, listen to them play their instruments, show them how to cook lobsters, teach them weapon safety and take them fishing.

Jerry was also a medical anomaly. He is in the medical journal twice for overcoming major medical issues that even doctors couldn’t believe a person could survive. Nothing could stop him. And even in his final days, he never had a single grey hair on his head because he was that lucky.

Suffice to say, Jerry was an amazing man who will be missed dearly. We find solace in knowing he is in heaven with his son watching over us. There will be a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 72 Washington St. in Weymouth at 10:30 A.M. on June 20, 2023 followed by a Burial at Braintree Cemetery, Plain St. in Braintree. Following the Burial, everyone is welcome to join the family for a light lunch at The Darsch residence, 491 Liberty St.,  Braintree, MA  02184

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