Obituary: Gerald Melvin Bitz, March 25, 1935 - April 20, 2022

Gerald "Jerry" Melvin Bitz died on April 20 after a battle with prostate cancer. He was born March 25, 1935 in Fargo, North Dakota. At age 3 he moved to Portland with his parents Katherine and Walter Bitz and sisters Frances, Miriam and Catherine. He attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland.  He married Carol Eder in 1958, before the Air Force sent him to the Azores for 3 years. They have been married 63 years. Katherine was born in the Azores. They moved to Milwaukie where Mary Ann, Walter, Lucy and Cecilia were born.  Jerry worked for Price Waterhouse for 5 years and Cascade Corporation for 40 years where he became the chief financial officer. He traveled all over Europe, St Petersburg, Russia, Johannesburg, S. Africa, Australia and Japan.  

Jerry was a skilled wood crafter and built a buffet, front door, a deck, book cases, picnic tables, 5 oak chairs (one built closer to the floor for Carol) and children's furniture. Jerry volunteered for Franciscan Enterprises, which rehabilitated old houses. Jerry served on the St. Andrew Catholic Church administrative  board. He served on boards of LaSalle High School, St. Andrew Nativity School and the Northwest Catholic Counseling Center. He helped found De La Salle North Catholic High School. In recent years, he volunteered at the St. Andrew Food Pantry.

Jerry's grandchildren are Blake, Julia, Tanner, Andrea, Alex, Austin, Vince, Andrew and Tia. He is survived by his wife, children and his 98-year-old sister Catherine Bitz. The funeral mass will be at St. Andrew Catholic Church, NE 8th and Alberta on June 4 at 11 a.m. Donations are suggested to the St. Andrew St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 806 NE Alberta, Portland, OR 97211.