Robert “Steady Eddie” Kerker Obituary, Robert “Steady Eddie” Kerker Has Died

Robert “Steady Eddie” Kerker Obituary, Death – Robert “Steady Eddie” Kerker was an Appalachian Trail section hiker who passed away recently. The Green Mountain Club, which is responsible for the preservation of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, is saddened to learn of his passing. It was well known that Kerker maintained a consistent and predictable hiking pace.

The National Park Service was informed on July 24 that Mr. Kerker had not been seen for some time after receiving a report that he had not been seen recently. The search for Mr. Kerker was organized the very same day by Vermont State Search and Rescue, the Vermont State Police, and a number of other local groups. On July 30, the body of Mr. Kerker was found on the Appalachian Trail in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in the Stony Brook. It was likely related to the extreme floods that the area was presented with on July 10 and 11, the State Police claimed in a release, which can be found here.

We are all saddened by the unexpected passing of a fellow long distance hiker, and the trail community as a whole is feeling the impact of ‘Steady Eddie’s’ passing at this time. The Executive Director of the GMC, Mike DeBonis, offered his most sincere condolences to the deceased hiker’s family, friends, and anybody else who had journeyed with him during his time on the trail.

GMC would like to extend their gratitude to the Vermont Search and Rescue teams for the comprehensive training that they have received, which has enabled them to react quickly and involve a variety of partners in the search, including GMC personnel and volunteers. We are grateful to them for their leadership and the efforts that they have made to ensure the safety of hikers in Vermont.