Gerhard Seidel

Gerhard Christian Seidel, age 81 passed away quietly in the presence of his son Robert on Tuesday, November 6th 2018. Gerhard was born in Dresden Germany on March 17th, 1937 to Julius, and Anna Seidel. He was the youngest of three, with his Brother Erich, and Sister Ursula predeceasing. Gerhard was an accomplished soccer player, playing for his home town team in Germany. He escaped Communist East Germany by jumping off a moving train in West Berlin with no western money, and all of his possessions in a single suit case. Following his escape, he lived with family friends in West Germany where he studied Horticulture. Gerhard later emigrated to Canada, and practiced his trade in Horticulture, and stone wall building. He met Shereen Cooper at a dance in Windsor Ontario, fell in love, and they were later married on August 26th, 1961. He ultimately moved to Michigan, and later became a US Citizen. Gerhard was a long-time resident of Southfield, but also had property in the Cadillac area where he fostered a Christmas Tree Farm. Gerhard was a hard worker, and began specializing in stone masonry, a trade he taught to each of his 5 sons, and to many others who wanted to learn the craft. All the while he maintained his love of horticulture, and could give the Latin, and common name of most plants he encountered. Gerhard was also a union carpenter, but he loved working in his garden the most. He enjoyed traveling to Germany to visit with relatives, and childhood friends. He often took his family to the lake in the Summer time, and delighted many while demonstrating his soccer skills by running circles around all the neighborhood kids. He is known for his work ethic, and for sharing that work ethic with many young men who grew up in his neighborhood. Gerhard fathered 5 boys. He was predeceased by his son Wilhelm, and later by Shereen in 2015. Gerhard is survived by sons, Raimund (wife Kathy), Gerhard (wife Linda), Robert (wife Brenda), Walter (wife Katherine), Eleven Grand Children, and Seven Great Grand Children. Service will be at Kemp Funeral home at 24585 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI 48075 at 2:00 pm.

Gerhard Seidel

March 17, 1937 - November 6, 2018