Brent Gearhart died peacefully with his wife, Carol, at his side on October 22, 2022 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home following a stroke.

Brent was born in Reedsville, PA, to the late Joseph Donald Gearhart and Doris “Dot” Coulter Gearhart-- quite possibly with a glint of mischief in his eye!

He loved to share fond memories of growing up in picturesque Big Valley ("the other Amish country" in PA), building treehouses and rafts along the creek with cousins, relishing family gatherings at Camp Coulter in the mountains of the nearby state forest, hunting and fishing with his dad in what can only be described as a spiritual connection with nature. This bond with nature led him to his Eagle Scout award, academic pursuits, teaching career and later a passion for birding.

He graduated from Kishacoquillas High School, Gettysburg College and Duke University School of Forestry, where he met his wife, Carol, on campus. They married and moved to Winston-Salem in 1976 and have since called this area home. Having learned practical skills from his dad, Brent made major restorations to their homes, first in Germanton and then in Pfafftown.

Brent enjoyed sparking young people’s interest in biology and math while teaching forestry and horticulture at the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Career Center and South Stokes High School. And teaching afforded him summers free to pursue other interests.

In the 1970s, he learned blacksmithing while working in authentic costume at Old Salem and later enjoyed demonstrating the art at events like Carolina Street Scene where he was the first to admit he attracted fewer folks than the coal smoke repelled!

Brent pursued his love of antiques as an antique dealer specializing in 19th century furniture, pottery and baskets. He was frequently called upon as an expert for a local version of Antiques Roadshow.

Brent was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease when he was just 39. As was his nature, he aggressively sought every treatment available, always at the forefront of new developments. And, after deep brain stimulator implants, he was able to pursue the job of his childhood dreams.  He became a forester with the NC Forest Service and attained his Registered Forester designation. He told entertaining stories of his field work for the USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA), which produces data often cited in news articles.  

In retirement he became an avid birder, active member of Forsyth Audubon, and enjoyed many birding trips across the country with great friends. He also served on the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission for many years.

A committed peace activist, Brent lived his life according to a profound principle of “We Are One” — that all life is interconnected, we share one planet, and our planet’s future is dependent on the actions of all of us. He was active in the 1980s movement Beyond War and the subsequent friendship of the Blah Blah group. And yes, there's a story behind that name.

Brent more than filled the role of son, brother and extra-father in Carol’s family. Whenever visiting his in-laws he was quick to offer to paint, fix or install anything desired. He was a doting and beloved uncle to six nieces and nephews whose adventures he followed with avid interest and whose diverse adventures merited that attention! They set stock in finding Brent’s approval when choosing a spouse! He had fond memories of attending their weddings in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Denmark, in spite of the challenges of traveling with Parkinson’s.

Cherishing sweet, poignant  and funny memories are his wife, Carol; sisters-in-law Constance Gruen of Roseville, MN and Celia (Bjarne) Brendstrup of Broager, Denmark; six very special nieces and nephews, Eric (Molly) Matheson Gruen and Mark (Alexa Horwart) Gruen of Minneapolis; and in Denmark, Dan (Christina) Okkels Brendstrup of Ry, Sofie Brendstrup of Copenhagen, Lise (Henrik Andersen) Brendstrup of Aarhus, and Emma (Klaus) Brendstrup Kohberg of Aarhus; eight grandnieces and grandnephews, and seven Coulter and Gearhart cousins. Extended family were always important to Brent and became even more so over the years. He also counted some very dear friends as his family. And held a special place for the community of the Parkinson’s Forward support group.

The family is grateful for the outstanding support of Brent's health care providers who helped him live such an active life for so many years, including those at the movement disorder clinics at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health and prior years at Duke University Medical Center, and the staff at Bayada Home Health Care.

No memorial service is planned at this time. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service is scheduled.  

Brent’s memory can best be honored by hugging your loved ones and sharing a laugh, standing in awe in a forest or making a tribute donation in his memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org).

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