Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Mayo Beach Park

Quantico National Cemetery

Gerald Sparer, a resident of Annapolis, MD since 1995, died on September 5, 2018 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.  He was 91. Jerry was born on March 24, 1927 in Middle Village, Queens, NY to Emmanuel and Minnie (Hochstadt) Sparer.  He was their middle child, and he liked to joke, “But, I’m the only son!”  He grew up valuing time spent with his aunts, uncles, and 32 first cousins.  He attended PS 87, PS 50, and Richmond Hill High School.
At the age of 17 (as soon as he was old enough), Jerry enlisted in the Navy and served proudly during the end of WWII.  Following the war, he attended college on the GI Bill, earning a bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations from The New School for Social Research and master’s degrees from Columbia (Economics) and Syracuse (Public Administration) universities. He moved to the Washington, DC area in 1952 and enjoyed a 25-year career in public service.  He worked at the Atomic Energy Commission, Department of the Navy, Radiological Health, US Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Economic Opportunity, and the National Center for Health Services Research.  While serving in Associate Director positions at both OEO and NCHSR, he published more than 25 research papers and reports on cost, quality, and access to health care. After retiring from the Federal government in 1977, he continued his work on health services research in the private sector, directing landmark studies on the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well as several aspects of the End-Stage Renal Disease program.  He retired for the second time as Vice President of System Sciences, Inc. He then founded the Professional Rehabilitation Network in 1987 to provide speech, physical, and occupational therapy services in nursing homes in the DC-MD-VA region.  He retired for the third time after selling his business to Genesis Healthcare in 1996.  He immediately continued his work on behalf of others, spending more than 17 years as an active volunteer on the board of The Key School and serving 2 terms as board president. Jerry is survived by his beloved family:  his wife of 39 years, Marj; his children, Bruce (Sheryl), Robin, and Olivia (Ezana); his grandchildren, Jack, Mallory (Austin), and Zoe; his older sister, Evelyn Zivetz; and many nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceased by his parents and his younger sister, Leona Sibelman. A private graveside service and interment will take place at Quantico National Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life for all his family and friends who are able to attend will be held on September 15, 4-7p at Mayo Beach Park, 4150 Honeysuckle Drive, Edgewater, MD 21037. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to The Key School, 534 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made online by visiting the link on this page.

Gerald Sparer

Gerald Sparer

Gerald Sparer Services

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