William "Bill" Gerson, 65, of Annapolis, a longtime mathematics professor at Prince George's Community College in Largo, died Oct. 4 from complications of multiple myeloma at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Born Dec. 27, 1939, in Manhattan, N.Y., Mr. Gerson received his bachelor of science degree in engineering from Cooper Union College and a master of arts degree in physics from Columbia University. He did doctoral work in physics at the University of Maryland College Park where he was a campus leader with Students for a Democratic Society in the 1960s.

He co-wrote the "Radical Guide to the University of Maryland," and helped lead anti-war activism in the area. During his year at Maryland, he frequently contributed as a Washington correspondent to the Daily Worker, which his father edited, as well as a number of local alternative newspapers.

Mr. Gerson grew up as a "red diaper baby" in a left-wing family during the McCarthy period and was raised in a community whose values of social justice, equal rights and courage in the face of repression were embraced throughout his life, his family said.

As a child of the 1950s, he spent his summers at Camp Wo-Chi-Ca (Workers Children's Camp) and later as a young adult was director of Higley Hill children's camp. Since 1980 he spent most summers at World Fellowship in Conway, N.H., an intercultural and progressive retreat center, where he worked as a staff member and was on the board of directors for many years.

A resident of Annapolis since 1981, he taught at Prince George's Community College for 25 years where he was a tenured professor. He served two terms as president of the Faculty Senate.

In addition to his involvement with local groups such as Anne Arundel Peace Action, he loved chess, which found him most Tuesdays at the weekly matches of the Annapolis Chess Club. He visited several European and Central American countries.

Surviving are his parents, Simon and Sophie Gerson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his daughter, Timi Gerson of Washington, D.C.; his sister, Deborah Gerson of San Francisco, Calif.; his longtime companion, Wendy Widmann of Severna Park; a stepson, Shawn Frick of Mount Airy; and a stepdaughter, Bonnie Cannon of Seattle, Wash.

No services are planned and burial will be private. Arrangements are by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home. Visit www.barranco
funeralhome.com for condolences.

As published in The Capital Newspaper, Annapolis, MD on October 8th, 2004.