News Sad News: Richard Gerth, the Grand Floridian greeter, has passed away...

[msg7]

I've met him on numerous occasions... Such a nice man.. He truly loves what he does...
Keep Richard and his family in your Prayers...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This is minor...but can someone let the tweeter know the date is off by 7 years?

I knew him...he and Stan from WL were the best. Grand Gentlemen

 

[mouse_luv]

Keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. Met him last year, what a sweet gentleman.

 

[TwilightZone]

Don't know him personally but I hope for him to get well (very) soon.

 

[Keggy1970]

We have stayed at the Grand Floridian many times over the past 15 years and our 3 kids would always have their picture taken with Richard. They first met him when they were 9,7, and 5 and we just saw him last year when they were 18, 16 and 14. They would look forward to seeing him as much as going on the rides or seeing the characters. He was a true example of a genuine person that loved his job and meeting people. We wish him well and are keeping him in our thoughts.

 

[ryguy]

Richard was my wife's train conductor back in 2001 for our wedding. Great guy.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Sad news. I remember seeing him on the few occasions we ventured over to the GF for dinner or to swim.

Don't know him personally but I hope for him to get well (very) soon.

From personal experience, entering hospice care means the end is likely near.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

This is absolutely heartbreaking. He is one of the kindest and purest people I've ever had the pleasure to know.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Losing someone to pneumonia is tough because it's so fast yet slow and painful/heartbreaking to watch. I've never met this man but he seems like a good man. God bless him.

 

[biggy H]

Its been reported that he passed early this morning..
Never knew him personmelly but always had a kind words to say and a lovely smilely happy face when entering the GF.

RIP

 

[ItlngrlBella]

He was a legend. I hope GF does a special garden with bench or something near his spot in Memorial. I know “no one is bigger than the show,” but he really was special.

 

[COProgressFan]

He was a legend. I hope GF does a special garden with bench or something near his spot in Memorial. I know “no one is bigger than the show,” but he really was special.

I agree, I really hope they do something like this.

Had many great, personal interactions with Richard over the years. A truly remarkable man with such a pure heart.

 

[wedenterprises]

RIP... Only got to meet him once briefly but definitely a character, and a gentleman. He was all class.

 

[KrazyKat]

Met him a couple of times and he was always very nice and welcoming.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Prayers for Richard and his family. We have lost someone very special. Marie

 

[Ninja Mom]

I was thinking about him frequently yesterday and hoping that things were going easily for him. I feel like today an angel is smiling down on us from Heaven.
~NM

 

[EricsBiscuit]

It's an interesting debate about honoring cast in the parks and resorts. My opinion is that the only real world name you should see at WDW besides historical attractions is Walt Disney. But I can definitely see why some should be honored with a window or something.

 

[NeonNinja]

It's is confirmed

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Don't know him personally but I hope for him to get well (very) soon.

Hospice is for terminal diagnosis...but sad to hear. He really was a nice man. The US is losing its supply of humble gentlemen like him. It’s obvious every day we could use a lot more of them.

 

[msg7]

Richard was such a vital part of each and every WDW trip we had.... He will be truly missed.... I would love to see a bench the spot that he stood maybe even with a statue of him.... Disney needs to honor him...