Edward Gates Mehrhof, M.D.

Edward Gates Mehrhof, M.D. of Homer, NY, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026.

He was a cherished husband, father, step-father, step-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and a healer whose presence will be deeply missed.

On November 27, 1932 Ned, as he has always been called by his family, was born to Floyd Edward Mehrhof and Thalia Burissa Gates Mehrhof in New Brunswick, NJ. He joined a 2-year-old sister, Carolyn, and the Gates Grandparents at 217 Third Avenue, Highland Park, NJ, living there until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. He attended Hamilton Avenue Elementary School and graduated from Highland Park High School.

After high school, Ned attended the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY (his mother and uncle’s alma mater), where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in General Science as a member of the Class of 1954. Upon graduation he worked for the Nuclear Energy Project at the University of Rochester Medical Center for 2 years until receiving his draft notice.

After finishing Basic Training, he was assigned to Ireland Army Hospital, Fort Knox, KY as a Specialist, running the hematology lab. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal. Before his discharge, he had been accepted at S.U.N.Y Upstate Medical School, as part of the Class of 1962. Upon graduation his Internship was in Mixed Medicine and Pediatrics at Rochester General Hospital. During his Internship, when he was not involved in direct patient care, Ned would visit patients who were alone and have a conversation, and it was during that time that he realized that he enjoyed the talks and the patients seemed to benefit from the personal contact, realizing that he wanted to apply to the Menninger Institute and School of Psychiatry in Topeka, KS. After 5 years, he graduated in 1968, from a Residency and Fellowship in both Adult and Child Psychiatry and started a very long career in both Adult and Child Psychiatry, really enjoying psychotherapy.

He was a member of the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Child Psychiatry Association, Association of Psychoanalytic Physicians, and a Diplomate of the Neuroscience Behavioral Institute. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Homer.

When entering the U. S. Army, Ned married Ruth R. Jelen, the mother of his three children, Craig Edward Mehrhof, Ann Elizabeth Mehrhof (deceased) and Bradley J. Mehrhof.

In High School Ned played football for the Varsity team after trying out for Junior Varsity. During that time, Vince Lombardi, who did not live very far away, came to watch him play, inviting Ned and a teammate to his home for dinner, and then to visit West Point to watch a game. In later years, he believed in Lombardi’s motto, It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, what counts is how many times you get up. He always felt very privileged to have had that experience. Football was not his only High School sport, he also played softball, basketball and ran track. He enjoyed playing tennis and golfing. While at University of Rochester, Ned played football, as a half-back, for all of his time there and was part of the first (of only two) undefeated teams.

Later in life, he became a distance runner, sometimes running as much as 10 miles twice a day, as well as participating in triathlons. Wherever he was, he also enjoyed swimming and bicycling.

Sports were not the only thing that Dr. Ed enjoyed. He played guitar, and would accompany himself singing. He had a special liking for County-Western music, from his generation, and romantic oldies.

Of note in his life was that during WWII, while his Dad was part of the Eighth Army, he sold war bonds to anyone who would hold still while he made his pitch. He was rather good at persuading the citizens of Highland Park to support the war effort. After Japan’s surrender, Ned’s Dad, Lt. Colonel Floyd E. Mehrhof became part of the Occupation Forces. Mother Thalia drove their car from New Jersey to the Northwest Pacific Coast for transport to Yokohama, Japan. The family was able to reunite on a Troop Transport that had been refitted to transport the families of those going to Japan. Ned’s education for 9th grade was done at the American School in Yokohama, and was taught by the WACS. At age 14, anyone living in Japan could get a driving license, thus began Ned’s love affair with Army Jeeps. Most days Lt. Colonel Mehrhof needed to be picked up by his Team because his Jeep was in use by Ned.

Dr. Mehrhof’s life had some interesting highlights and he enjoyed telling the story of how he got to meet Anna Freud while at Menninger, and later during Jimmy Carter’s Presidency, Roselyn Carter visited as her special interest was in Mental Health. About ten years ago, while visiting family in Americus, GA, he got to hear Jimmy Carter preach and met him briefly and they were able to shake hands.

Edward Gates Mehrhof had a long and productive life. He touch so many lives in his work with children and adults. His belief that everyone was entitled to the same level of care no matter their economic status, and treated quite a few people without charge, giving them samples of drugs left by marketing representatives. He held himself to a very high standard.

Dr. Mehrhof leaves a wife, Barbara S. Faughnan Mehrhof; sons, Craig Edward (Pam) Mehrhof; and Bradley J. Mehrhof; step-children, Tara (Craig) Johnson, Peter Seamus (Terri) Faughnan; 5 step-grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Smith and 6 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both his parents; a daughter, Ann Elizabeth Mehrhof and brother-in-law, Rev. William Smith.

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