Harvey Raymond Gerber

Harvey Raymond Gerber, attorney and former Mayor of Rancho Mirage, passed away peacefully in his home on December 17, 2014 after a valiant 3 1⁄2 year battle against pancreatic cancer. His wife, of 37 years, Angie Gerber, was by his side. He was 80.
He was born in Chicago, IL to Rose Levine Banks and David Banks on June 12, 1934. At age 9, Rose and her second husband, William Gerber, moved the family to Los Angeles, CA, where Harvey spent his formative years. He graduated from Venice High School at age 16, then proceeded to Santa Monica City College. After a year of undergraduate studies, he went to work at Hughes Tool & Dye, before enlisting in the Army where he served in Air/Sea Rescue in Korea. He went back to school and enrolled in Loyola University, Los Angeles, CA. During his third year of undergraduate studies, he also completed his first year of law school. He transferred to and graduated from USC Law School in 1961. He was very proud and supportive of his alma maters, especially on Saturdays in the fall when the USC Trojans played.
After school, Harvey worked at small firms for a few years before expanding to a larger firm, ultimately, becoming Partner. He ventured into his own practice where he spent the majority of his 35 year career in law practice, including numerous high-profile cases. He relished the excitement of being in trial. He was often called on to serve as Judge Pro Tem in Orange County.
In 1994, he and Angie relocated to Rancho Mirage. Two years later he retired from practice. Not one to sit idle, nor just play golf, he felt he had more to contribute. He decided to run for and ultimately, won a seat on the Rancho Mirage City Council in 2000, his first foray into politics. He was in office until 2005, and Mayor from 2002 - 2003. During that time, he was instrumental in taking the electrical and phone wires underground in the city, and developing The River shopping and entertainment complex. He took special pride in trying to give fair representation to all his constituents.
In 2005, he moved to Las Vegas, where he continued to apply his passion for detail and thoroughness by successfully investing in commercial real estate, yet he always maintained a home in his beloved Coachella Valley.
Harvey was stubborn, kind and generous. He wouldn't take "no" for an answer. Like all great attorneys he found his way around any objection with creativity and passion. Harvey will be remembered by his family and friends for his amazing strength and perseverance. He placed great importance on giving back to his community and finding solutions.
He served on the Board of Trustees for the Palm Springs Art Museum, Board of Directors for the Stroke Recovery Center, and as a board member for the McCallum Theater. He volunteered his time and mentored youths in the program through the Art Museum.
He had many loves, including travel, shopping (for anything and everything), great food, classic sports cars, and dogs, but it was spending time with friends and family that made him happiest. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, his five children, 7 grandchildren, extended family and countless friends whose lives he touched with his compassion and support.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Fagin Gerber, with whom he shared three children. He is survived by Angie Gerber; children Michele Wise (Simon) Adam Gerber (Jennifer), Jason Gerber (Katie), Matt Lavine (Amber) and Dean Lavine; grandchildren, Jordan, Zachary, Joseph, Kyle, Caitlin, Caroline and Vanessa; brothers Steve Banks (Mary) and Robert Gerber D.D.S. (Karen).
A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 20 at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert, CA. The interment will follow at Forest Lawn in Cathedral City, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor at the Palm Springs Art Museum 101 N. Museum Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262, Stroke Recovery Center 2800 Alejo Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, McCallum Theater 7300 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children 39000 Bob Hope Dr. Rancho Mirage, CA 922270 or Eisenhower Medical Center 24/7 Nursing Care Program 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.