Gerd Wilhelm Petersen

Gerd Wilhelm Petersen, husband and father, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2017, at the age of 70 years. Gerd will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his wife of 40 years Liv and his daughters Eva Christina and Andrea, his older brother Hans Heinrich and his wife Anke, along with his cousin Reinar and his wife Birgit. Gerd will also be remembered by his three grandchildren, extended family and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 3:00 pm, at Fred Hunter Funeral Home of Hollywood, 6301 Taft St., Hollywood, FL 33024.

Gerd W. Petersen was a highly skilled sailor who led a life of adventure. Born on April 19, 1947 in Hamburg, Germany to Irmgard Groth and August Petersen, Gerd journeyed to Latin America as a young man and made Venezuela his adopted home for 34 years. He became fluent in Spanish and also spoke elegantly in English.

While living in Caracas, he had a successful career as general manager in trade and commerce strengthening economic relations between Venezuela and Germany. In 1977, he married Liv Christensen who he met while looking for a sailing partner. In 2007, Gerd started a new life in the United States and lived happily with his wife in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Gerd was a strong man who had a gentle demeanor. He was a kind man who worried more about his loved ones than about himself. He was a man with a keen intuition and a sharp mind that devoured history, art, music and culture.

For those who knew Gerd, he was a magnificent husband, father, grandfather, godfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend.