Gerkin, Charles V., 1922-....

Charles Vincent Gerkin, chaplain and clinical pastoral educator, was born in Garrison, Kansas on July 30, 1922. He received a B.A. from Washburn Municipal University (Topeka, KS) in 1945 and a B.D. from Garrett Theological Seminary (Evanston, IL) in 1947. He was ordained Elder in the Kansas East Conference of the Methodist Church in 1949. Gerkin married Mary Frances Hickox in 1945, and the couple were the parents of six children. Early in his career, Gerkin served parishes in Topeka and Leavenworth, KS. He later held chaplain positions at the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Boys' Industrial School (both in Topeka). In 1957 Gerkin relocated to Atlanta to serve as the first Director of Chaplaincy Services at Grady Memorial Hospital. In 1962, he became the first executive director of the Georgia Association for Pastoral Care. Gerkin accepted the position of Professor of Clinical Pastoral Education (later Professor of Pastoral Theology) at the Candler School of Theology in September 1970. He remained at Candler for the rest of his career. Gerkin died on February 20, 2004.