Erich Michael Himmel

Erich is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ingeborg (nee Brauer); two loving daughters Diana and Carol; son in-law Jerry; three beautiful grandchildren, Erich “Bubba” and wife Esther, Michelle and husband J.J., and Ashley; and two great-grandchildren who were the light of his eyes, Parker and Hudson.

In 1958, Erich and Inge emigrated to the United States to Berlin, New Hampshire, where Erich worked as night watchman at a gym shoe factory. After several months, they moved to Chicago where he worked in his trade as a mechanic for Volkswagen. Two years later, Erich was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in Germany while the Berlin Wall was built.

At the end of his Army service the family moved back to Chicago, where he would work for VW as General Manager opening several Volkswagen dealerships. However, his dream to move back home to Germany was always on his mind. Ultimately, Erich’s family did make the move back to Germany in 1978 only to realize that home was now Chicago, so within months they moved back.

Erich opened Erich’s Lehigh Auto Body in 1982. With the strength of his loving wife behind him, he built the business along with his daughter, Carol. To this day it is a successful business with his grandson Erich at the helm (with one of his favorites, Bobby, alongside him).

In 1984 Erich became President of the Rheinischer Verein Mardi Gras Society, a position he held for more than 25 years. He also became President of The United German American Societies after being groomed by Karl Laschet. Erich would later be Knighted and serve as the Grand Chancellor to the United States of The Het Golden Vleis.

In 1984, he was awarded the The Bundesverdienstkreutz First Class medal of honor (the highest civilian honor) from the President of Germany for his contribution to the preservation of the German Culture in a foreign land.

Erich’s dream to create a German Haus (an umbrella organization for clubs to call home) came true in 2020. Upon the heels of years of successful German Fests, he was able to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of The United German American Societies (postponed for two years due to COVID). Just last month Erich, Inge, and family traveled to Munich to see his family, friends, and homeland for the last time.

Erich was a friend and confidant to many-- a great man who will be sorely missed. He had an infectious smile, wonderful sense of humor, a memorable mustache, and a huge heart that will be missed but never forgotten.

Two visitations are being held, 4-8pm, on Thursday, September 1 and Friday, September 2 at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago, 60625.

Funeral Mass, 10am, Saturday, September 3, Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Ave., Chicago, 60625. Watch the mass here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWI7uKbcMs0.

Entombment at Rosehill Cemetery Mausoleum following Mass.

Memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to The Armin Homann Foundation, https://www.thearminhomannfoundation.org.

For information contact Drake & Son Funeral Home, 773-561-6874 or www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com.