Obituary for David B. Gerrard
David Burr Gerrard
March 6, 1981 – December 8, 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the death of David Burr Gerrard of Westchester County, NY,
beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was known for his kindness, humor,
creativity, and passion for writing and film. His exceptional intelligence and talent, as well as his
fellowship with other writers, made an indelible mark on the literary community.
David Burr Gerrard was born in Queens, New York. His family moved to Chappaqua when he
was in the first grade. He graduated from Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, Robert E. Bell
Middle School, and Horace Greeley High School. He went on to graduate with a B.A. from
Columbia College and to receive an M.F.A. degree from the Columbia University School of the
Arts.
He was the author of two acclaimed novels – Short Century and The Epiphany Machine. The
latter novel was called "a wildly charming, morally serious bildungsroman with the rare potential
to change the way readers think." Both in his fiction and in his life, he displayed a fierce
commitment to justice, empathy, and honesty. A beloved writing instructor, he taught courses on
writing at the New School, Manhattanville College, and other venues, where he imparted his
craft and love of literature to hundreds of emerging authors.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a source of strength and love in his family. He
was a devoted husband and father, heavily involved in his daughter's extracurricular activities
and education, and a constant source of love and inspiration to his brother. He is survived by his
wife, Grace Bello; his daughter, Amelia Bello-Gerrard; his parents, Michael and Barbara
Gerrard; his brother William Gerrard.
In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to the Jacob Burns Film Center, a local
nonprofit cinema where David loved to watch movies. https://burnsfilmcenter.org
March 6, 1981 – December 8, 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the death of David Burr Gerrard of Westchester County, NY,
beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was known for his kindness, humor,
creativity, and passion for writing and film. His exceptional intelligence and talent, as well as his
fellowship with other writers, made an indelible mark on the literary community.
David Burr Gerrard was born in Queens, New York. His family moved to Chappaqua when he
was in the first grade. He graduated from Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, Robert E. Bell
Middle School, and Horace Greeley High School. He went on to graduate with a B.A. from
Columbia College and to receive an M.F.A. degree from the Columbia University School of the
Arts.
He was the author of two acclaimed novels – Short Century and The Epiphany Machine. The
latter novel was called "a wildly charming, morally serious bildungsroman with the rare potential
to change the way readers think." Both in his fiction and in his life, he displayed a fierce
commitment to justice, empathy, and honesty. A beloved writing instructor, he taught courses on
writing at the New School, Manhattanville College, and other venues, where he imparted his
craft and love of literature to hundreds of emerging authors.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a source of strength and love in his family. He
was a devoted husband and father, heavily involved in his daughter's extracurricular activities
and education, and a constant source of love and inspiration to his brother. He is survived by his
wife, Grace Bello; his daughter, Amelia Bello-Gerrard; his parents, Michael and Barbara
Gerrard; his brother William Gerrard.
In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to the Jacob Burns Film Center, a local
nonprofit cinema where David loved to watch movies. https://burnsfilmcenter.org