- Date Of Birth: October 21, 1942
- Date Of Death: September 20, 2012
- State: Florida
Dr. Frances Reeves Wasson-Gerstman passed away September 20, 2012.
Dr. Gerstman was born in Pensacola, Florida on October 21, 1942. Her parents, Lewis Willard Reeves and Margaret Johnson Reeves, her husband, Mancel Harrel “Max” Gerstman, her sister Pamelia Reeves Pitkus, and her niece Pammy Pitkus preceded her in death. She is survived by her son James Charles “Chip” Wasson, II and wife, Caroline; and her granddaughters, Bella and Elizabeth; two brothers, Lewis Willard Reeves, Jr.
Dr. Gerstman’s family moved to Fort Walton in 1947, where she attended first through twelfth grade, graduating from Choctawhatchee High School in 1960.
In 1960, Dr Gerstman attended Florida State University and became a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was also in Cotillion and Village Vamps. She was a 1965 Honor Graduate of The University of Tennessee and taught in several elementary schools in Tennessee. Then she taught 7th and 8th grade math in Fort Myers before coming home to Fort Walton Beach.
Dr.
Dr. Gerstman was responsible for starting the Okaloosa County Learning Center for Gifted and Talented Students and was the director for 16 years. She served for several years on the Board of The Florida Association for the Gifted and was selected to lead the National Consortium for the Gifted and Talented. She was also selected for one of the Florida Education Commissioner Awards for Outstanding Principals in 1994.
During her 30 years in public education, Fran enjoyed teaching art and she continued to study with instructors such as Dr. Dale Gauvin, Mary McShane and Robert Long. She also enjoyed flying and received her private pilot’s license in the early 70’s. Just a few years ago, she renewed her certification as a pilot and became a member of the Eglin AFB Aero Club.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Linda Guthrie, Rhonda Kruger, Margaret Scherer, Victoria Palmer, Cledis Ellis and Sue McCauley, the caregivers who lovingly cared for Fran during her illness.
