GILROY
– The Salvation Army lost two of its most dedicated members
Saturday, as Majors Hector and Gerde Ramos retired after 78
combined years in the service.
GILROY – The Salvation Army lost two of its most dedicated members Saturday, as Majors Hector and Gerde Ramos retired after 78 combined years in the service. The couple were guests of honor at a gala retirement reception Saturday afternoon at the Salvation Army Church in Gilroy.
“I think the Army has treated her (Gerde) very well, but I think she treated it better. They’ve been good for each other, but it’s time to move on,” David Wittrock said.
Majors Hector and Gerde Ramos have been serving in the Salvation Army since 1963 and 1965, respectively, and have served in such places as Buenos Aires, Argentina, Miami and for the past three years in Gilroy, offering their services as pastors, administrators and chief cook.
“We do whatever has to be done,” Gerde said.
Spirits were high at the Saturday retirement reception as friends, family and fellow members of the Salvation Army met to give the majors their best wishes.
The various speakers – whose words were translated into Spanish for the bilingual audience – included Advisory Council Chairwoman Ana Gomez and Salvation Army Captain Robert Lloyd, who told stories of his personal experiences with Hector and Gerde. Afterward, he helped lead a chorus of “Yes my Lord is Able,” both in English and Spanish while Gerde accompanied on accordion.
During their years of service, Hector and Gerde have run a children’s home in Argentina, acted as prison chaplains and served as division commanders. But now they seem ready to settle down.
The couple is moving to Punta Gorda, Flor.
“We’re going to miss Gilroy … not just the terrain, but the people,” Gerde said.
