Don Gerhardt PhD, 82, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2026. 

Dr. Gerhardt PhD. Created the Light Electric Vehicle Technician Training program in the US in 2008, working with Sidney Kuropchak. That program has trained more than 2000 students to work on electric bicycles and other micro mobility vehicles. Students have come from nearly every English speaking corner of the world. The Technician Training Program will continue. (Spanish version launching this year.)

He was the go-to guy for almost any ebike propulsion system problem, and a walking encyclopedia on how systems worked. 

He taught in person courses for LEVA at Danville (VA) CC, Forsyth Technical CC, and Appalachian State University. He helped greatly with materials and decisions on the LEVA on-line courses. He operated Gerhardt Cycles, and consulted for a number of electric vehicle companies. He authored a book on ebike repair. 

The Light Electric Vehicle community in the US will miss a teacher and a friend. 

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lois, and many children and grandchildren.