Norfolk V-P; 2007-10-21

Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007
The Virginian-Pilot
Norfolk VA

Gerald E. Lake , Virginia Beach
Lt. Cmdr. Gerald E. Lake, U.S. Navy retired, passed from this world
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. He was born in Detroit July 29, 1942, to Marion
Elizabeth Mears Lake and Robert William Lake. Jerry enlisted in the U.S.
Navy in 1960 and advanced to the rank of interior communications chief
petty officer, Submarine Service. In 1971, he was selected as a warrant
officer electrician and in 1972 was commissioned as a lieutenant junior
grade unrestricted line. He retired from active military duty in 1982
with the rank of lieutenant commander. Jerry was reportedly the first
Navy enlisted person to receive an associates degree through the Navy's
Program for Afloat College Education (PACE). The degree was awarded from
the University of South Carolina in 1970. He was then awarded a Presidents
Honor Scholarship from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., where the
Navy transferred him to complete his bachelor's degree. He graduated cum
laude in 1972 from Lander University and was nominated for a Danforth
Scholarship upon completing his degree. He earned a master's degree in
national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,
Calif., in 1976. He had several published credits to his name including
articles on the Application of Computers in Industry, Multivariate Data
Analysis and Applications of AUTONOMIC Principals and Cognitive Science
Tools. After retiring from the Navy, Jerry spent two years teaching
R.O.T.C. in Phoenix, Ariz. Returning to Hampton Roads in 1983, he started
his own business before working for John Fluke, United Technologies,
General Electric and Lockheed Martin Corporation. He retired again in
2005 as a director of marketing with Lockheed Martin Corporation. While
serving his country and raising a family, Jerry was also an active leader
and participant in several national, local, professional, recreational and
religious organizations. He was an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts
of America Troop 66 in Kempsville from 1980 to 1983. His favorite hobby
was his car, an antique Alfa Romeo, and he was an enthusiastic member
of the Tidewater Alfa Romeo Club. Jerry was a devout Catholic and an
active member at Star of the Sea Church. He served in the church's Social
Outreach committee to assist persons during their time of need and as
a Eucharistic minister. Aside from these organizations, he was a member
of many professional societies. Most notably, he was a founding member
for the Tidewater Government Industry Council, and a founding member
and former president of the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors
(TASC). He was affiliated with the Navy League of the United States and
the United States Navy Surface Warfare Association. In addition to these
roles, he was especially proud of his membership to, and service for,
the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE). He served as chair for the
Tidewater Section of ASNE from 1997 to 1998. Of his many accomplishments
there, he was honored to receive the ASNE Frank G. Law Award for 1999
for expanding the society's membership, for creating joint symposiums
with other professional societies, for invigorating the mathematics
mentoring program, and for his outreach to Old Dominion University
students for engineering and design support. The capstone of his life was
his philanthropy work with BizNet Village. BizNet's goal is to develop
residential facilities and support services for mentally retarded
adults in our community. This not-for-profit corporation is dedicated
to assisting children and adults with developmental disabilities to live
and work as independently as possible. As secretary, he was tireless in
his efforts to motivate others to give their time and resources to help
create this wonderful place. Jerry inspired others at BizNet to turn
the dreams of many into a collective reality. Of his many roles in life,
Jerry always thought of himself first as a family man. He is survived by
his wife, Betty; daughter, Christine; son, Gerald and wife Suzanne; son,
Jason and wife Erin; grandchildren, Jacob and Isabella; siblings, Jim,
Joe, John and Angie; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. A
funeral will be held in Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Virginia Beach,
Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9:30 a.m. Everyone who was touched by his life is
invited and encouraged to join the family in celebrating this remarkable
man. Jerry asked that rather than flowers, please consider making a
donation to BizNet Village, P.O. Box 6192, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.