Gert Woyde

Gert Woyde

February 15, 1936 – March 11, 2012

Gert Woyde, 76, of Madeira Beach, Florida, went to be with his parents, Albert and Anna Louise Woyde, brother Heinz Woyde and sister Rita Woyde Sturm, March 11, 2012. He passed on at his home surrounded by his wife Chris, his brother Horst and sister-in-law Marian Woyde, his niece Karen, her husband Dean Dunwody and their children Patrick and Anna.

Gert was born on a snowy day in Berlin, Germany, in an evil era of violence, hatred and impending war. He was only two and a half when his father took his small family to far-away Montevideo, Uruguay, seeking a safe haven, away from the death and destruction that was to come. Gert grew up on the shores of the River Plate, a place that would shape him to become what characterized him most in his life – a freedom-loving, fair and decent man. He was a true Renaissance man, a speaker of three languages who tried his hand at a variety of enterprises ranging from watchmaker, owner of a dry cleaner shop, translator, and language instructor. While living in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Gert felt the pull of the United States when watching from across the Detroit River the myriads of lights that gave the Motor City’s skyline a halo that beckoned him to come. He relocated with his wife Susana and small son Rick in Detroit, where he became director of a Berlitz School of Languages. Years later, Gert joined Detroit Translation Bureau, Inc., his brother Horst’s translation agency, and became its president when Horst took a position with the Federal Government in Washington, D.C. His son Rick eventually joined his father in the business, and together they built up the company to become Michigan’s premier foreign language publication firm. Sometime after his wife Susana died, Gert married Chris, who, with her love and devotion, restored Gert’s optimism and zest for life and together they lived happily ever after. They retired on Florida’s Suncoast, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Gert and Chris enjoyed watching the glorious sunsets over the Gulf’s horizon, very much in love with each other; their condo always open for visiting family and friends.

Gert’s long journey through life, which began so many years ago in snowy Berlin, ended in sunny Madeira Beach, Florida. Farewell, Gert. Go in peace. We love you. We shall never forget you. You will always be with us in spirit.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street North, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.