Helmut Welker

Helmut Welker, 80, formerly of 104 Plumleaf Court, Griffin, passed away Tuesday (February 9, 2021) in his home, surrounded by his wife Nancy and his daughter Ann Marie. He was born December 28, 1940, in Tscherwenka, Yugoslavia, the son of the late Ambrosius and Christine Hinkel Welker. Helmut immigrated with his parents from West Germany to the United States on August 6, 1955. He became a US citizen and graduated from Jamestown High School. Later in life, he earned a bachelor’s degree of Mechanical Engineering Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, with highest honors. He was last employed as a research and development engineer for Heidenhain ACU-RITE Co. Inc. in Jamestown, NY, a manufacturer of precision measuring instruments. Throughout his career at that firm, Helmut made several advances to the reading head technology, for which he held seven patents. Helmut was a lifelong avid runner and ran many marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 1976. He also was a prolific builder and designed and built the home his family lived in by hand. Even after retirement, his love of projects was unabated, and he and his wife Nancy restored two historical Victorian homes. Surviving are his wife Nancy Ann Hornsten Welker of Griffin, GA; a daughter, Dr. Ann Marie Welker (Dr. Karl H. L. Welker) of Frankfurt, Germany; and a grandchild, Alexandra Welker of Frankfurt, Germany. He was preceded in death by his younger daughter, Dr. Christine Welker. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Jamestown, NY. Inurnment will be in Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown, NY. For online condolences please visit www.haistenmcculloughfuneralhome.com. Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin, GA is in charge of arrangements.