Eric Fredrich Gaukel

1925 - 2022

Eric Fredrich Gaukel, 97, passed away peacefully at home in Santa Cruz, California on October 12, 2022, with his son Eric Andrew Gaukel Jr., by his side. Eric Jr. was his father's primary caregiver, providing sincere, loving, and devoted care 24/7. Eric F. Gaukel was born in Weilbach, Germany on June 26, 1925, to Karolina Kuhn and Edmund Wilhelm Gaukel. Eric F. Gaukel immigrated to America in 1932. He attended college for Electrical and Communications. He also had a radio ham license. Eric worked at numerous East Coast companies, as a marine electrician and radio operator. Eric was certified with a radio telegraph commercial license.Eric was a W.W. 2 American Army Soldier in Germany, in the Army Communications Division (C.C.D.). Eric repaired bombed bridges' phone communications across temporary pontoon bridges. Eric's bilingual ability soon promoted him to translate secret German to English war communications. After the war Eric continued working for the C.C.D. where he met his loving and kind wife of 60+ years, Marlise Matz. While both working for the C.C.D. together they were bonding in love and living in harmony. Eric married Marlise in 1948 in Germany. They started a joyful marriage that spanned more than 60 years.Now wedded, they came together to America and lived in New York, then to New Jersey where they began an adoring family, and raised their two wonderful sons Ralph and Eric Jr. Eric was so proud of his family. He always put his family first and was a great provider and mentor. He was a father with a heart.Eric started his employment with Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. in 1957. He then moved his whole family out to California and continued working with P.T. & T.Eric was a sailing enthusiast. In the late 60's he built a cascade, A-29-foot sloop rigged kit sailboat. It became a united family project for two years alongside their house in Santa Cruz. After completion and Coast Guard certified, for many summer vacations, navigated the Pacific Coast waters of California. A devoted employee for 33 years, Eric retired from P.T. & T. Eric then exuberantly went into model airplanes flying. Eric mastered all types, slope thermal glider planes to gas and electric powered planes. Eric enjoyed his slope flying in Santa Cruz at Sunset State Beach. He also loved flying his power planes at his second home in Minden, Nevada at a local model airfield.Eric loved nature and the great outdoors. He loved to travel to many National Parks across America with his family by his side.Eric was an avid reader. His favorite books were on science and philosophy. He was the happiest having coffee and reading a book at a local bookstore. Eric F. Gaukel who is deceased, wife Marlise of 60+ years. His sons Ralph and Eric Jr., his grandchildren; Rob and Christy and Rich who is predeceased. Great-Grandchildren, June, and Jameson. Eric had one brother Bill who is deceased.He was a man of many talents, each of them he mastered very well. Eric always had a positive outlook on life. Eric will be missed by all who knew him. Private family service has been held.