William Gerhold Art

Bill graduated from Huntington High School, Oberlin College and received his Masters degree at The Ohio State University. Bill was in the Naval Air Corps and received his Naval Aviator training at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. After his military service, Bill received his private pilot and instrument ratings. He also held a Commercial rating as well as his Certified Flight Instructor and Seaplane ratings. He flew corporate planes in Cleveland and for the Airolite Company of Marietta. He taught at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH and retired from the Art Department at Marietta College where he was the head of the art department for several years. He was the chairman of the "Mainstreams" exhibition for many years, working with national and international artists. Bill was a nationally recognized artist who exhibited and taught classes in many parts of the country including Texas, Florida, North and South Carolina, Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and most notably his painting workshops in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. In addition to his many aviation and artistic endeavors, Bill was involved in environmental issues such as the preservation of the Canaan Valley, being on the Board of Directors for the Canaan Valley Institute (an environmental organization not only involved in the Canaan Valley, but a three state area as well), and initiating an environmental/art class at Marietta College entitled, "The Good and the Bad, Environment Earth". Bill enjoyed flying and teaching others to fly. He was a member of the Experimental Aviation Association and worked closely for several years with the Young Eagles program which exposes young people to aviation through a hands-on process that culminates in a flight with a private pilot. The legacy that Bill wanted to leave on this world was a sense of beauty and appreciation.