Alfred George Duerst

The son of Frieda Staub and Kaspar Duerst, he was born in Schaenis, Switzerland, March 1, 1929. He is predeceased by two older brothers, Ernst and Kaspar.

He graduated from the Zurich Textile School and served as a Quartermaster in the Swiss Army. After several years working in Switzerland, he immigrated to the US in 1952 and worked for several textile companies. He retired from Milliken and Co. as a marketing manager.

Fred and his wife Madeleine have lived in Greenwich since 1964. They especially enjoyed spending time at Tod’s Point. Fred and Madeleine traveled the world extensively after his retirement. Fred acquired his life-long love of opera while attending every Sunday performance at the Zurich Opera House. He and Madeleine enjoyed opera classes at UCONN and went to as many operas as they could.

In his free time he spent many happy hours designing and welding metal sculptures. He was an award-winning metal sculpture artist with creations in many private collections in the US and Europe. He was a member of the Art Society of Old Greenwich, also having served as its president, the Greenwich Art Society, and the New Rochelle Art Society.

Fred volunteered with the American Red Cross as a driver until his first stroke.

He is survived by Madeleine, his beloved wife of 51 years, son Peter of Huntington Beach, CA, daughter Catherine and son-in-law Scott Ventrella of Ridgefield, CT, and his beloved grandchildren Jen and Andrew. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews in Switzerland.

The family would like to thank Dr. Steven A.R. Murphy, the doctors and nurses of Greenwich Hospital and The Richard L. Rosenthal Hospice Residence for their care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to AmeriCares, PO Box 4921, Stamford, CT 06907 or The Richard L. Rosenthal Hospice Residence, 100 Shelburne Road, Stamford, CT 06902.