Walter V Gerasimowicz

Walter (Vladimir) Gerasimowicz, 73, of Phoenixville, PA, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - the day before his 74thbirthday.

Walter, also known as "Wally," "Vova," or "Volodya," was born and raised in Phoenixville, PA. He was the first of three sons born to George and Luba (Kartaszow) Gerasimowicz. He attended Phoenixville High School from which he graduated in 1970. Walter then attended Ursinus College where he received a B.S. in Chemistry in 1974. He then attended Villanova University where he served as a teaching assistant while working toward an M.S. and then a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry.

Walter worked as a Senior Research scientist for the United States Department of Agriculture. He was recruited during the Reagan years to work as a research scientist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratories in Washington, D.C. After a few years in Washington, he returned to Pennsylvania where, in addition to continuing his research at the USDA, he was an adjunct professor at Villanova University, teaching Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics.

He was accepted into the Executive MBA Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his MBA in Finance and left for New York City and Wall Street. Walter worked at J.P. Morgan where he served as Vice-President of International Bond Investments and served as a financial advisor to both domestic and foreign investors. During his time at J.P. Morgan, Walter travelled to many financial centers around the world including numerous trips to London, Paris, Zurich, and Hong Kong. He was also invited by the Finance Minister of the Russian Republic to visit and discuss business investment in Russia. Interestingly, he was met at the Moscow Airport not only by economic leaders of Russia, but also by a number ofRussian scientists who had read and were familiar with his earlier research.

Walter joined Lehman Brothers and concentrated on domestic investment. He worked with some of the wealthiest people both in the United States and throughout the world and continued to travel primarily across the United States in advising investors and speaking on financial issues affecting both domestic and foreign markets. He was invited to the Inauguration of President George W. Bush. Walter was featured in Forbes Magazine as "Wall Street's Rocket Scientist." He was a frequent guest on CNBC and regularly appeared on its "Power Lunch" program. He also hosted a radio show on WOR in New York where he discussed investment and financial matters. Eventually formed his own asset management company and did private financial consulting until his retirement after which he left Manhattan and returned to Phoenixville.

Walter's passion was singing. He had a beautiful and powerful bass voice. While living in Manhattan, he attended services at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign where he sang in its illustrious choir. He also sang with the Russian Chamber Chorus, the Oratorio Society, and the Julliard Singers. He performed with these various choirs at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and other notable venues in and around New York City. Walter was a frequent attendee of the Metropolitan Opera Gala where he met numerous opera stars including world-renowned singers such as Bryn Terfel, Placido Domingo, and Anna Netrebko.

Walter was born with a rare congenital bone disease which resulted in his walking on crutches for most of his life. He was working One Financial Center on Wall Street on September 11, 2001. His office was directly across from one of the Twin Towers when his office windows were blown out by the impactof one of the jets crashing into the Towers. Spilled jet fuel caused fire in the building. He was forced to evacuate the building by walking down 28 floors on his crutches. He struggled and managed to get over the pedestrian bridge to the NY Port Authority just as the first of the towers came crashing down.

He is survived by his brother George Gerasimowicz, Jr. and his spouse Teresa of East Coventry, PA and brother EugeneGerasimowicz and his spouse Christina Gerasimowicz of Upper Pottsgrove, PA. He loved his godsons, Nicholas Gerasimowicz and Domenic Gerasimowicz along with his niece Katherine (Gerasimowicz) Ilyin. He adored his grandnieces and grandnephews and loved being with them.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1230 Juniper Street (corner of Juniper and Mervine Streets) Pottstown, PA. A Pannikhida will be served at 7 p.m.

The funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church preceded by a viewing from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Cemetery, Mervine Street, Pottstown, PA.

Warker - Troutman Funeral Home, Inc. 726 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA is handling the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent to family by visiting www.warkertroutmanfuneralhome.com.