TITAN OF THE NORTHWEST

Joseph R. “Pete” Gerber Jr., longtime president of Gerber Legendary Blades, factory knife innovator and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member, passed away in September. He was 90.

The son of company founder Joseph Roman Gerber, Pete became company president of Portland, Oregon’s Gerber Legendary Blades in 1951, a position he held until 1987. During Pete’s reign the company enjoyed a golden era, transitioning from a leader in kitchen knives to a pacesetter in sporting and military knives, including such award-winning models as the Mark II military dagger, the revolutionary LST folder, Gator folding hunter and many more.