Gerd Walter Renno

Gerd Renno died peacefully and surrounded by family at his home in Arvada, CO, on August 23, 2025, on his 68th birthday. He was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to Elfriede (Schnäbele) Renno and Walter Renno and grew up in a small town called Sersheim. He earned Masters degrees in Engineering from the University of Stuttgart and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Kathy (Stapleton) Renno, with whom he had two children. They moved between Germany and the US multiple times and ultimately settled in the US, where he worked in chemical and industrial engineering and eventually as a rocket scientist in the US defense industry. He had a gift for optimizing quality and efficiency in all of his jobs.

Gerd was a rock for those around him – a steadfast and wise patriarch. He was selfless, intelligent, and endlessly curious, working equally hard with his mind, hands, and heart. He could build anything, fix everything, and figure out how it all worked. He had a passion for serving and mentoring those in need, especially refugees who were seeking a better life. He was a man of adventure and an avid skier, hiker, and camper. He knew the value of showing up for those he loved, and his favorite thing to do was spend time with his family at home, across the country, and around the globe. 

Gerd will be missed greatly by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Kathy, children Markus (wife Hannah) and Erika (husband Trevor), and grandchildren Silas, Henry, Timothy, Wilhemina, and an unborn grandson due in October.

He touched many lives around the world. Gerd was a practical man, so at his request, we will be celebrating his life through action. If you would like to honor him by planting a tree in one of our national forests, please do so here https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-for-others.