Gerald Hugo Pochert

Born May 6, 1926, in Detroit, to Hugo and Mildred (nee Finkel) Pochert, he graduated from Denby High School in June 1944. Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy June 19, 1944, and served as a radar technician in the Pacific on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, until his honorable discharge July 2, 1946.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Lawrence Institute of Technology June 12, 1951. As a student at Lawrence Tech, he worked part-time selling new Dodge cars. After graduation, he was district manager for the Mid-Atlantic states at Chrysler Co.’s Dodge Division.

Jerry met Joan Gerondale at a VFW dance in 1951; the couple married Jan. 24, 1952, and soon transferred to North Carolina. In 1958, he and Joan started a new business in Charlotte as national distributors of instrument-grade valves, tube fittings, gauges and related hardware, which became very successful. When they returned to Michigan in 1963, the business continued to thrive and they supplied their products to additional states; eventually, they branched out into instrument-grade filters. The company continues operation under the management of their son.

Jerry was very fond of boats, going back to his days at Lawrence Tech when he and his friend built a 16-foot Chris-Craft kit boat. This boat went with him to North Carolina, where he made many fishing trips safely to the 12-mile marker in the Atlantic Ocean with only an auto compass as a guide. He always was calm and in control at the helm in the roughest of weather, including during a sudden gale-force storm that struck as he captained his 39-foot cruiser with 18 guests aboard. When Jerry returned to Michigan, his passion for boating culminated with a 47-foot Chris-Craft Commander tri-cabin. In his adopted city, he docked his boats at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, and was also a member of the Grosse Pointe Woods Boat Club and Clinton River Boat Club.

Jerry also camped with his young family, starting out with a tent set up in Wilderness State Park and quickly graduating to a shiny new Airstream trailer. A member of the Pointe Campers, he enjoyed camping with the group and relaxing around campfires. Soon the family became “motorhomers.” Jerry took great pride in his 40-foot Monaco diesel pusher coach. He always had a full-sized compact car in tow; people said he must have been a truck driver in another lifetime because he handled it all like a pro. Jerry also was a member of the Family Motor Coach Association, a national motorhome club. He enjoyed meeting people from across the U.S. and international locales. He also was a fan of classic cars, World War II history and Glenn Miller.

Jerry was a devoted family man who worked tirelessly to provide a good life for his loved ones and ensure their safety and happiness. He also was devoted to his church, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Thomas and Susan; and several cousins.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Cremation will be performed. Arrangements were entrusted to Kaul Funeral Home in St. Clair Shores.