Gerard Francis Helfrich

West Point, 1949

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Terry Powers on November 19, 2022:

Gerard "Jerry" Helfrich passed away peacefully on January 23, 2017 at Goodwin House Alexandria. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Elizabeth V. Helfrich. Born in Dallastown in York County, Pennsylvania, Jerry graduated from the US Military Academy in 1949 and was commissioned in the US Air Force. After his service in the Air Force, Jerry accepted a position at the Atomic Energy Commission, where he worked on nuclear technology, export controls, and non-proliferation in Washington, San Francisco, New York, Brussels, and Tokyo. Subsequently, he joined the US Department of State and returned to Japan as the Counselor for Scientific and Technological Affairs at the US Embassy. After he retired, Jerry continued to be active in science and technology issues and travelled extensively, taking Elderhostel tours with his wife. Jerry is survived by his two children, Monique and Kurt, and was preceded in death by his daughter Babette. He is also survived by his siblings, James, Theresa (Joseph Smith), Charles (Mary), Richard (Mei), and Francis (Maria); his sister-in-law Cecilia (Edward) Scullen; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on February 18, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Goodwin House Alexandria, 4800 Fillmore Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311, followed by a reception celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 5, 2017. Elizabeth Volkman Helfrich (89) passed away peacefully on January 4, 2016 at the Goodwin House Alexandria. She was the beloved wife of 60 years of Gerard F. Helfrich. She was born in Washington, DC on July 26, 1926 and was the daughter of the late Harry F. and Mary Ann (Boyer) Volkman. A native Washingtonian raised on Capitol Hill, Elizabeth 'Betty' Helfrich was a student at Holy Comforter School and graduated from St. Cecilia's Academy. She attended St Genevieve-of-the-Pines in Asheville, NC and then Trinity College in Washington, DC. She worked for the Reynolds Metals Company’s Washington, DC office and later in life the architectural firm VVKR in Alexandria, VA. Posted abroad with her husband, Jerry, on government assignments in Brussels and Tokyo during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Betty was a gracious, astute and much-loved wife and mother who tirelessly promoted US/international relations and developed deep and lasting friendships at home and in Europe and Japan. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two children, Monique Helfrich of Arlington, VA and Kurt Helfrich of London, UK. She is also survived by her sister, Cecelia (Edward) Scullen and cousin, Valerie Burns, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Babette. A Funeral Mass will be held on January 27, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Goodwin House Alexandria, 4800 Fillmore Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311 followed by a reception celebrating her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Joseph's Indian School. Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 13, 2016.

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