Obituary of Herbert Robert Weihs

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Herbert Robert Weihs, age 87. Herbert passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 after a month of hospitalization due to a fast-progressing lung illness. Born on his family farm in Jorksdorf, Ostpreuen (East Prussia) on April 8, 1931, Herbert was the oldest of 3 sons born to Fritz (Friederich) and Auguste Wei. He attended secondary school in Labiau, studying to become a forester, until 1945. His father was the mayor of their small town. Due to the war, Herbert was orphaned at 14 years old. He spent three years in a Russian labor camp. In 1948, he was reunited with his Tante (Aunt) Frieda Wei in West Germany and worked as a farm hand. He emigrated from Germany, arriving on Christmas Eve, 1951, having been sponsored by one of his 4 aunts living in the U.S., Tante Helene. He often commented that he felt he had come to a "fairyland" seeing all of the Christmas lights upon his arrival and worked hard to ensure that he, himself, put up Christmas lights each year as a result. He worked on the railroad in the State of New York until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, where he served two years. Thereafter, upon his brother Gnter's suggestion, he moved to Detroit to apply for a job at GM's new Tech Center. He was hired and worked for GM for 37 years before retiring as a die designer. In 1956, Herbert met his wife, Karin, at Gnter's wedding and they were, themselves, wed 11 months later. Good German food being one of his passions, he appreciated that she could cook well and "whip up a good meal" in a half hour. After their wedding, Herbert and Karin spent time travelling as much as they could; honeymooning in Washington D.C., skiing in Maine, sunbathing in Florida and exploring all that Michigan had to offer. In 1963, Herbert and Karin welcomed their first child, a daughter, Ingrid. Their second child, Paul, was born in 1971. Upon retirement, Herbert and Karin built a house in Sugar Springs, Gladwin, MI of his own design, of which he was very proud. They became snowbirds, summering in Michigan and wintering in Sun City, Arizona. Herbert always enjoyed good food and good conversation with family and friends and was known by many for his charm and easy-to-talk-to style. He had a big heart, putting family first, never turning away a family member in need. He was a proud man - proud of his German (and Ostpreuen!) heritage, proud of his house, proud of his military service, proud of his children. Among many other interests, Herbert enjoyed photography, video, gardening, dancing, hockey, the evening news, the Olympics, "3 o'clock kaffee," ambient tap water and Rouladen (did we mention that he loved food?) Herbert's cremated remains will be interred at the family plot at Forest Hills Cemetery in Ann Arbor, MI. Herbert is survived by his wife, Karin; daughter, Ingrid (Robert); son, Paul (Kimberly); brother Gnter (Ilse); grandchildren, Jacob, Jessica, Jennifer and Julia; sister-in-law Helene Weihs; nieces and nephews Doris (Scott), Robert, Mark (Janell), Michael (Joann), Carol (Mark) and Chris (Merideth); as well as many loved cousins. Herbert was predeceased by his brother, Alfred. A memorial service for Herbert will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 2nd at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 11423 Chicago Rd, Warren, MI with a luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Herbert's memory to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Sugar Springs Memorial Fund, or the charity of your choice.