Obituary of Helga Elisabeth Voigt

Helga Elisabeth Voigt passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024. She was born in Wildschutz, Austria to Hedwig and Josef Weiser on May 12, 1932. Helga passed at almost 92 years old. Her husband of 68 years, Henry Kenneth Voigt, passed away three weeks earlier. Henry was born in Bellerose, Queens on December 22,1932 to Adolf and Anna Voigt and died at the age of 91 on April 7, 2024. Their remains are buried at Cypress Hill Cemetery in Queens New York. A celebration of their life took place with close family.

After World War II Helga’s family moved to Michelfeld, Germany. She attended The University of Heidelberg where her studies included English and secretarial skills. She eventually worked for the United States Army at its Allied headquarters in Heidelberg Germany.

Henry was raised in Bellerose New York. He excelled in math and was one of four students from his middle school class that passed the entrance exams to attend the prestigious Brooklyn Polytech High School. From there he gained admission to Rensselaer Polytech Institute, where he earned his BS and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, graduating number two in his class. Henry was also ROTC and upon graduation was the only one in his basic training class to be placed in the Allied Headquarters in Heidelberg Germany where he earned the rank of First Lieutenant.

While stationed in Germany, Henry met Helga, and four months later were married on September 19, 1957. The couple moved to Bellerose, Queens and then Merrick, New York, where they lived on Second Avenue for over 60 years.

Henry worked for Sperry/Unisys for over 30 years in their Defense Department. He was a senior engineer specializing in submarine gyroscopic communication systems. His complicated projects contributed to the innovations that led to space travel and various radar systems. He was awarded many patents and had a long, successful career. Helga was a secretary for several years and worked in administration at Lydia Hall Hospital.

Both Henry and Helga volunteered in community activities, coached and supported various youth sports teams, becoming well known by the children’s friends and neighbors. They will be remembered for their hospitality, sense of humor, devotion to each other and their families, and most importantly their home cooked schnitzel and gulaschsuppe.

The couple is survived by their children Paul Voigt of Darien CT and Susan Voigt Gummeson of New Cannan CT and Palm Beach FL and by their seven grandchildren: Grace and Katherine Gummeson and Jack, Paxton, Paige, Scott and David Voigt.