Rod Gerwe grew up in Lakeland, Florida, graduating from Lakeland High School. He received a B.S. in chemistry from Duke University in 1960, and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Florida State University. Rod conducted organic chemistry research at the Technical University of Karlsruhe being awarded NATO and Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral Fellowships.
Rod joined Eastman Kodak in Kingsport Tennessee, taking on various R&D and plant management positions. His final position was directing the company’s corporate chemical issues management. During this time, Rod served as chairman of several industry-wide committees at the American Chemistry Council. He retired from Eastman Chemicals Company, which had split off from Kodak.
Rod then started PCA Services, Inc, providing consulting services for industrial chemicals. After 18 years as President of PCA Services, Inc., Rod retired fully. Rod received various honors, including the Vice President Albert Gore Environmental Champion Award and VP Gore National Performance Recipient Award.
Rod joined the Durham/Chapel Hill Torch Club in 2012, and has served as Vice President for Programs for 2 years, President, and Membership Chairman. He is the recipient of the Torch Silver Award. In the International Association of Torch Clubs (IATC).
Rod served on various committees, and was IATC Director of Region 8 Torch Clubs for 3 years. Rod’s team started the new Williamsburg Torch Club. Rod also started the new Greensboro NC Torch Club. He has served as IATC Director-at-Large for New Club Development. He served on IATC Board of Directors for 3 years.
Rod and his wife, Barbara, have been married since 1961 and have three grown children and six grandchildren. Rod’s hobbies include, beside family, world travel and playing classical piano.
Durham-Chapel Hill Torch Club 