Herbert Gerstenzang

August 14, 1942 – August 12, 2020, age 77 years

On August 12th, Herb passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, NV, following a long battle with brain cancer.  Born to the late Rose and Irving Gerstenzang in Bronx, NY, Herb grew up in the Bronx, and attended Columbia University's College of Pharmacy. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1965. He later took graduate courses at the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy.

Herb's career began as a licensed pharmacist with a commissioned service for the United States Public Health Service from 1966 – 1968. He was released with an honorable discharge. He then joined the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in what became a career spanning 39 years. While at the FDA he held various positions including Pharmacist, Chemist and Consumer Safety Officer, leading to at least 14 awards for performance and outstanding service. He was known as an expert in the field of Drug Efficacy Study Implementation (DESI) and Drug Reimbursement, and he frequently testified in court as an expert witness. He completed many instrumental projects, such as building a database of unapproved drugs and working on the bar code system that is used in hospitals today to track medicines given to patients. Following his retirement in July 2005, the FDA deemed him so valuable that he was asked to apply as a civilian consultant to help in the transition to replace him. He started consulting under the business name of HG & Associates, and for five years he completed contractual work for the government and pharmaceutical firms. He reveled in the freedom to work on his own time schedule.

Herb married Cillie (née Ravitz) in April 1971, and they raised their two children, Isaac and Amy, in Olney, MD. Following Cillie's death in 2000, Herb moved to Las Vegas, NV, in 2007. He chose Las Vegas for many reasons—but if you knew Herb you would know that the top three were the warm weather, central location to travel around the U.S., and discounted tickets to Vegas events (since locals receive discounts). He also joined a thriving Jewish community.

Herb was a man of many hobbies. Throughout the years Herb maintained 50+ weeks of timeshares that he rented as if he were a travel agent. He even listed bedrooms of his Las Vegas home on Airbnb. He offered full concierge services to his house guests, acting as a personal tour guide, and loved when the occasional guest would include him in enjoying a home cooked meal. His other hobbies included collecting mortar and pestles, stamps, comic books, and Beanie Babies.

One true passion in his life was traveling. Every summer Herb and his family would pack up the car and take long family vacations, with the goal of taking Isaac and Amy to new states all over the U.S. so they could see and experience new places. After retirement, he went on many cruises and traveled all over the world. Some highlights Herb particularly enjoyed included: Alaska, Central America, South America, Europe, Russia, the Mediterranean and Australia. In December 2018, while on a trip to Asia, Herb even had a chance to visit Isaac in Bangkok, Thailand, after Isaac had just moved there.

Family meant the world to Herb, and he constantly shared stories with his friends about his children and four grandchildren. He so enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and planned many adventures when they were together.

Herb led a highly active life and never wanted to be sitting still. Outgoing, helpful, caring, happy, adventurous and thoughtful, he was also very committed to his Jewish faith. His humor, laughter and smile were infectious and filled rooms. A huge personality and beloved by so many, Herb's memory will live on forever in those who had the honor to know and love him.

Herb is preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Cillie Gerstenzang, and a brother, Abe Gerstenzang. He is survived by a son, Isaac Gerstenzang and his wife Susan, and their children Ryan and Maya of Bangkok, Thailand; and a daughter, Amy McPherson and her husband Gary, and their children Curron and Rylynn of Gaithersburg, MD. Herb also leaves behind countless friends and extended family members who will remember his huge smile, friendly demeanor and joy for life.

Memorial donations may be made via the website: (http://give.classy.org/HGerstenzang), by phone: 702-263-9797, or mail: Keep Memory Alive, 888 W. Bonneville Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106 (please indicate 'donation in memory of Herbert Gerstenzang' in the memo section of the check). We are very appreciative of your love and support.