Obituary of Gerald Bookhout
<h1>Gerald Bookhout</h1>
At Sunnyside Home in Kitchener on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 in his 78th year.
Loving husband of Joan Lange; beloved father of Wendy Bookhout, Karen Bookhout, Mark Bookhout (Linda), Michelle Oates (Glenn) and Terri-Lynne Martin (Arnold); survived by his grandchildren, Louisa, Jessica, Laurie, Brian, David, Brittany and Natalie; cherished brother of Beverly Creel (Jim). Lovingly remembered by his stepchildren, Rod, David and Dean Smith.
Predeceased by his first wife Su; his parents, Alden and Patricia Bookhout.
Gerry landed a job at The Record in May 1955 after impressing editors with photos he shot of two major fires one at a King Street restaurant, the other at the Granite Club. His interest in photography, however, began when he was a boy. At age 12, Gerry built himself a darkroom by following the instructions in a Kodak manual.
By the time he retired at age 61 in 1992, Gerry had taken hundreds of extraordinary pictures using a wide range of equipment some of it bulky and cumbersome, some of it sleek and efficient. His subjects included Queen Elizabeth II, one Pope and a few prime ministers.
After careful planning and a lot of patience waiting for just the right sky, Gerry photographed two Old Order Mennonite girls playing on a swing. His attention to detail paid off. The picture won the 1985 National Newspaper Award for feature photography. He retired in 1992.
Friends are invited to share their memories of Gerry with his family during memorial visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. The memorial service to celebrate his life and faith will be held on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 29 Westmount Rd. S., Waterloo, at 11 a.m., the Rev. Tanya Ramer officiating. Reception will immediately follow the service in the Church Hall.
Condolences for the family and memorial donations to Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Sunnyside Home, or the Alzheimer Society may be arranged through the funeral home, 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.
In living memory of Gerry, a tree will be planted through the Trees for Learning Program by the funeral home.
