Gerhard G. Ess

RICHMOND, Ind. – Gerhard G. Ess, age 76, of Richmond, died Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at Reid Hospital after a brief illness. Gerhard was born in Singen, Germany to Wilhelm Arnold Ess and Agnes Johanna Ess nee Huebner on December 14, 1937, but due to the rise of Hitler in Germany, moved at age 3 to Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, his father’s home country. He attended school in Neuhausen and apprenticed for Georg Fischer Company in Kanton Schaffhausen, Switzerland as a draftsman. He graduated from Abend-Technikum Zurich in engineering. He worked for Maag and Sulzer while living in Switzerland. Gerhard and his twin brother Gerold spent any free time they had to build a 34 foot sailboat from 1960 to 1965, which they sailed on the Boden See in Schaffhausen. Wanting to sail on larger waters, they took the sailboat through the French Canal system to the Mediterranean. Once there, they finalized their plan to sail to America. They arrived in the Virgin Islands, their entry into the United States on their homemade sailboat in 1966 and finally Miami in November 1966. Gerold stayed in Miami living on the sailboat and Gerhard moved north to work for Ingersoll Rand in New York and New Jersey. Gerold died in Miami in 1967. In 1970 Gerhard moved to Connersville to work for Roots Blower. He retired from Roots in 2009. The sailboat was sold when Gerhard moved to Richmond but the newest owner contacted Gerhard in 2011, the sailboat is still in use. Gerhard is survived by his wife of 36 years, Connie Hoffman Ess and three children, Sara Ess Cloutier (Alan) of West Lafayette, Barbara Ess Ellison (Jim) of Richmond, and Erich Gerhard Ess of San Diego, California. He leaves three grandsons, Logan Edward Ellison, Edmund Scott Ellison, and Cameron Ess Cloutier. He also leaves a sister, Gertrud Hugentobler of Schaffhausen, Switzerland and a sister-in-law, Sara Hoffman Hershauer (Jim) of Arizona; nieces; and nephews. Gerhard was preceded in death by his twin brother, Gerold, and his younger brother, Heinrich Ess. Visitation for Gerhard Georg Ess will be from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2014, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to: Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 North 6th Street, Richmond, IN 47374 for the purchase of mystery novels as well as books on sailing. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Gerhard G. Ess

December 14, 1937 - April 9, 2014