Erich Karl Gradl

Erich Karl Gradl, 89, of Westminster, and long-time resident of Clarksville, died peacefully on October 19, 2017, at the Carroll Hospice Dove House.

Born in Helmbrechts; former Gosmes, Germany to the late Georg and Anna Gradl, he is survived by his sister Lore Wolfel of Nurnberg, daughter Terry Ann Gradl-Barrett and her husband Warren Arthur Barrett II, and his beloved grandsons, Warren Aruthur III and Alexander Hans-Erik. He is also survived by his longtime friend and companion Jeanne Cromwell Hoddinott and former wife Annemarie Schmidt.

Erich grew up in Nurnberg, Germany. At the age of 16 he was taken by German soldiers, and with little formal combat training, became entrenched in the chaos that would mark the end of WWII.  He was subsequently captured by U.S. soldiers and remarkably survived his internment.  He completed his education at the Hans-Sachs Gymnasium, was a championship handball player in Bavaria, loved nature and playing the violin.   In 1952, he emigrated to the U.S. and lived in Pittsburgh, PA.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, was qualified as a sharpshooter, won the Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals and was honorably discharged in 1961. He  worked for Martin Marietta and later for Westinghouse as a Defense Machinist, where he was involved in the development of the AWACS radar system.  He was also a longstanding member of the Masons in Baltimore.

He spent his last years at the Carroll Lutheran Village where he found  camaraderie, friendship and peace.

The funeral service will be held at the Baltimore National Cemetery, 5501 Frederick Ave., Catonsville, Md. 21228 on November 20, 2017 at 11 a.m.  

Memorial contributions can be made to the Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD. 21157 or to the American Cancer Society.

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