RICHARD H. GEBHARDT

PERSONAL

Full Name: Richard H. Gebhardt
Date of Birth:April 7, 1931
Date of Death:September 7, 2018
Mother: Florence Gebhardt
Father: Harry Gebhardt
Partner/Husband: John Bannon
Lived in: New Jersey, USA

Siblings:An identical twin brother, Harry E. Gebhardt, and two half-siblings

Career: Pet Shop owner, Groomer, Cat Show Judge, Author
Breeder/exhibitor of Japanese Chin dogs
AFFILIATIONS/ACTIVITIES

President:The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., 1968-1980

Cat Judge:CFA, 1953-2008 (55 Years of Service)
First guest judge from America at European show
Guest judge at Centennial of National Cat Club show in 1971

Cattery Name:Sylva-Wyte
Breeds:American Shorthair, American Wirehair, Manx, Persian

Awards:Recipient of the CFA Medal of Honor, for service to CFA
Awarded Judge Emritus status, 2008

Additional Interests & Activities:
  • First President, CFA Judges' Association
  • Established and Chair, CFA International Committee; served for 6 years
  • Co-Chair National Breed Committee
  • Trustee, Morris Animal Foundation
  • Field Director, Pet Pride
  • Joined Garden State Cat Club at the age of 16
  • Elected Garden State Cat Club President (youngest at age 22), 1953-1967
  • Member, Empire Cat Club
  • Founded the American Manx Club
  • Consultant for National Geographic article on cats, "The Cats in Our Lives", 1964
  • Introduced CFA National Award Program to replace Hydon-Goodwin All-Star Awards

  • NOTABLE CATS

    Persian:GC, NW Vel-Vene Voo Doo of Sylva-Wyte, black male, 1959 Cat of the Year
    GC, NW Silva-Wyte Trafari of J.B, black male, 1969 Cat of the Year
    Manx:GC Wila-Blite Pola of Sylva-Wyte, copper-eyed white female
    American Shorthair:GC Silva-Wyte Nightline, GC Silva-Wyte Designer Genes, silver tabby females


    GC NW Vel-Vene Voo Doo of Sylva-Wyte

    GC NW Sylva-Wyte Trafari of J.B.

    GC Wila-Blite Pola of Sylva-Wyte

    BOOKS, PUBLICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA MENTIONS

    Books:
  • The Complete Cat Book, 1991
  • The Allure of the Cat, with John Bannon
  • Cat, consultant/contributor, with author Grace Pond
  • The Cat, with Phil Maggitti
  • A Standard Guide to Cat Breeds, consultant/contributor, 1979
  • The Complete Cat Encyclopedia, consultant
  • Champion Cats of the World, consultant/contributor
  • Articles:
  • "The Blacks", CFA Yearbook, 1963
  • "Why Himalayans Are Persians", Cat Fancy, April 1985

  • ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
    Courtesy of The CFA Foundation, Inc.


    Home | Cats | Gallery | Clubs | People | Artifacts | Articles | Updates | Contact Us

    ©The CFA Foundation, Inc and The Harrison Weir Collection
    This project is a collaboration between The CFA Foundation, Inc. and The Harrison Weir Collection.
    All material on this site is copyrighted and may not be printed or reproduced, in any form, without the express written consent of the collaborators.