Erwin M. "Erv" Koeritz

1923 - 2022

Erwin M. "Erv" Koeritz, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully on October 26, 2022, in Charlottesville, Va. after 99 years of a life well-lived. Erv was born on October 6, 1923, in Chicago, Ill., son of Ann C. and Erwin H. Koeritz. He was raised in Chicago and New York City, and went on to attend Georgia Tech. He entered the Army and was sent to the University of Maine at Orono to continue his studies following basic training. At Orono, he met a beautiful coed named Nancy Pendleton Chase or "Penny" to her friends. Erv continued his Army service at White Sands, New Mexico to work on the new technology of radar. In 1946 he completed his service and returned to Maine to marry Penny.

Erv graduated from Georgia Tech with a PhD in Chemical Engineering. He had a long career with General Electric, managing major divisions within the company for 30 years across the U.S. (from Massachusetts to Arizona) and worldwide, and retired after managing the GE Fanuc facility in Charlottesville.

Erv and Penny traveled the world together, and following her passing in 2003, Erv continued traveling with his children and their spouses for 12 years.

Erv had a wide variety of interests including photography, woodworking, rock hounding, lapidary, jewelry crafting, brewing beer & wine, building musical instruments, playing music by ear, gardening, home renovation, and computer technology. Erv overcame life's challenges with a positive attitude and his great sense of humor and was a perfect example of the "greatest generation."

Missing him greatly are his sister, Phyllis Barr of Ashland, Ohio, and her family; his children, Jeff (and Donna) Chase of Dickson, Tennessee, Barb Koeritz Wentworth of Saco, Maine, and Chris Koeritz of Charlottesville, Virginia; his three grandsons, Kory (and Kristi) Wentworth of Boxford, Mass., Kevin (and Kaela) Wentworth of Newburgh, Maine, and Kyle (and Crystal) Wentworth of North Andover, Mass.; and his seven beautiful great-grandchildren, Taryn, Breanna, Karla, Asa, Iris, Orin, and Lincoln.

Erv will be buried alongside his wife Penny in Bath, Maine, in the summer of 2023.