Forrest Scott Gehrke

Forrest Scott Gehrke, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—known to friends and family as Scott—passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025. He was 73.

Born in Huntington Station, New York, Scott grew up in Mountain Lakes, NJ and graduated from Mountain Lakes High School in 1970. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University while also embarking on a lifelong career in the grocery industry. What began at age sixteen as a stockboy job at Acme Markets became a decades-long vocation; his drive and curiosity carried him from the aisles to the company’s corporate offices, where he also met the love of his life, Terry Sarto. The two married on August 25, 1979, and made their home in Kinnelon, New Jersey, where they raised their two sons. 

Scott later joined A&P, where he spent the second half of his career. Colleagues knew him as hardworking, inventive, and steady—someone who met every challenge with clear thinking and smart, well-considered solutions.

Scott was endlessly curious, and throughout his life he explored a wide range of interests. He was a motorcycle rider, SCUBA diver, photographer, skier, and he even earned his private pilot’s license. He was a very early adopter of personal computers and the internet, and for years was known as the go-to guy for any of his friends experiencing tech issues. He was also a lifelong New York Giants fan who loved going to games and cheering from the stands.

Upon retiring, Scott and Terry settled in Myrtle Beach, where he enjoyed the slower pace of life near the water and the many visits from family—most of all from his grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Pop Pop.”

Scott is survived by his wife of 46 years, Terry (Sarto) Gehrke; his son David, daughter-in-law Lisa, and grandchildren Aaron and Hannah; his son Steven; and six of his siblings. He was predeceased by his father, Forrest Edward Gehrke, his mother Jane (Clous) Gehrke, and his sister Susan Pelullo.

He will be remembered with love.

A private memorial gathering will be held at his son David’s home in South Orange, New Jersey on Sunday, December 7 between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. For details, please contact the family directly or email ScottGehrkeMemorial@yahoo.com.

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