Obituary: Werner Spiegel, 94

Werner Spiegel, age 94, passed away peacefully at home in Sandy Springs on Friday, April 29, 2016.

Werner was born in Fuerth, Germany, on Nov. 16, 1921. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sylvia; his three sons, Harvey (Ellen Spitz), David (Deuzimar) and Stephen (Denise); his seven grandchildren, Daniel (Emma), Jonathan, Kevin, Brandon, Adam, Sarah and Emma; and his older brother, Frank.

Werner’s youth was spent providing for his family under the persecution of the Nazi regime. Eventually, Werner, his parents and his sister escaped to the United States in September 1941, with the help of brother Frank, who had arrived earlier. After marrying Sylvia Hirsch in 1953, he moved to Columbus. Werner was active in the Jewish community and served as a board member and president of Shearith Israel Synagogue and as president of the local chapter of the Jewish Welfare Federation. Werner was a successful businessman who had his own real estate company and partnered with others to establish and operate quality nursing homes.

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After retiring, he moved to Atlanta, where he served as a docent at the Breman Museum, teaching students about the horrors of the intolerance he experienced firsthand in Nazi Germany.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 2, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to Jewish Family & Career Services are welcome. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.