Howard O. Gerken, 80, of Dagsboro, Delaware passed away at home on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on January 6, 1943, in Long Branch, NJ, he was raised in Freehold, NJ by his parents, Grace A. and Howard O. Gerken, Sr.

Howard graduated from Freehold Regional High School in 1960. After obtaining a B.A. in Physics/Math. from Gettysburg College in 1964. He earned a M.Ed. in 1966 at the University of Delaware where he met his future wife, Cassandra (Sandie) Hancock. They were married in 1967.

Howard served in the Army Artillery for two years at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma as a gunnery instructor during the Vietnam war. After teaching in Elsmere, DE, he joined Christiana High School as a math. teacher. As the head soccer coach, he led his varsity team to win the 1973 Delaware State Soccer Championship. He accepted a principal position at Sussex Central High School in 1975 and moved his family to Dagsboro. He served as principal of Selbyville Middle School from 1982 until he retired in 1999, having served as an educator for 33 years.

Howard started a youth soccer recreational program in 1980, which later morphed into the River Soccer Club in 1996 when his "Field of Dreams" ideas for a soccer complex became a reality in Roxana. Today the club serves over 900 kids in its recreational and travel team programs.

His love of soccer began in high school. He played a fullback position at Gettysburg College for four years. He was instrumental in starting soccer programs in the Indian River School District. He served as chairman of the Delaware State Soccer Tournament Committee for 20 years. He has been named to the IR Soccer Hall of Fame, the Delaware Youth Soccer Hall of Fame and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Delaware High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Surviving him are his wife, Sandie, his daughter Melissa Timmons (husband Tom), son Gregory (wife, Michelle), brother Glenn (wife, Judy and nieces Christine, Debbie, Diane) and three grandsons: Josh Timmons, Jonas Gerken, and Liam Gerken.

Nicknamed the "Godfather of Sussex Soccer", Howard leaves a legacy of his love for soccer to many, many past soccer players and to future Sussex soccer youth that want to play "the Beautiful Game".

Family, friends, and soccer players are invited to attend a Celebration of Howards' Life on July 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Indian River High School Auditorium, Dagsboro, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the River Soccer Club, PO Box 1366 Ocean View, DE 19970 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.