Horst Duerbeck

Horst “Big Hoss” Duerbeck, 87, of Charlotte NC, passed away at home January 26th, 2026. Horst came to the United States from Germany in 1964 at the age of 26 on a coal freighter boat with only $200 and a suitcase. He worked in textiles for more than 30 years ending his career in Charlotte where he retired from Crompton and Knowles in 1995.

He was an avid fisherman to say the least. He spent countless days on the Cherry Grove pier in search of the next big “King Fish”. He so loved his second family at the pier where he was given the nickname “Big Hoss” standing at 6’8” tall reeling in “fishies”.

Horst loved his family above all else. His heart and generosity were as big as he was! He loved spending time with his five children, daughter and son in laws, and four grandchildren. His loving wife, Cathy, of 33 years accompanied him on many trips to Germany, France, Florida, and the beach. He also had so very many loved ones from Germany where he grew up, Canada where his first wife Lise was from, Cathy’s family from Utah, and longtime friends here in Charlotte.

Horsty, as he was lovingly called by many, is preceded in death by his parents Otto and Renate (Schmidtmann) Duerbeck, first wife Lise St.Louis Duerbeck, brother Eberhardt (Marianne) Duerbeck, sister Helga and brother in law Wolfgang Marold. He is survived by his wife Cathy Brewster Duerbeck, brother Wolfgang (Elka) Duerbeck, son Eric Duerbeck, daughter Renate (Fred) Farabaugh, stepson Tyler (Anna) Tooke, stepdaughter Amy Tooke, stepdaughter Becky (Steve) Dubose, granddaughter Charlotte Farabaugh, grandsons Avery Farabaugh, Ryan Dubose, Carson Dubose, and numerous nieces and nephews from both Canada and Germany.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Fire Department who were so gracious to help them on several occasions.