Gunther H. Luhrs

Gunther H. Luhrs, 87, of Naples, Florida, formerly a long-time resident of Hopewell Jct., NY, died unexpectedly on May 16, 2026.

Gunther was born in Marschkamp, Germany on October 23, 1938, son of Johann and Katharina Kahrs Luhrs. Gunther attended school in Elmlohe, Germany, where he learned the upholstery business in Bremerhaven, Germany.

On October 15, 1955 Gunther immigrated to the United States to Brooklyn, NY when he was 17. From 1956 to 1960, Gunther learned the trade of tool and diemaking in Livingston, NJ. On August 27, 1961 Gunther married Helga W. Brendel from Berlin, Germany, a professional seamstress. In 1963 he and his family moved to Fishkill, NY and then to Hopewell Jct., NY in 1966 for 44 years where he and his wife Helga raised their three children; Joachim, Michael and Christine.

Gunther was hired by the IBM Corporation in East Fishkill, NY in 1963. He remained there for 30 years rising from a Tool and Model Maker, Engineering Design Department Manager, to Advisory Engineer when he retired in 1993. Gunther also received his private pilot certificate from Morristown, NJ to fly Piper Cubs (Taildrager) and Cesna 150.

In 1980 he designed and built a two story 19,200 sq.ft. commercial office building where his wife Helga had her bridal shop and his daughter Christine eventually had her massage therapy business. The plaza was located on Rt. 82 in Hopewell Jct. called "North Hopewell Plaza". Gunther took pride in his office building he built and managed for over 35 years. The plaza was later sold in 2015. Gunther and Helga both had the passion for playing golf and traveled to many golf courses together including playing their favorite, Harbortown Golf Links in Hilton Head, SC. They also enjoyed playing locally on leagues at Beekman Country Club, Dogwood County Club and IBM Country Club. They also loved going on cruises together, attended many German Festivals and danced to many songs to the Rudi's Diamonds band.

After the hardship of losing his wife Helga and his two sons, Gunther moved to Naples, FL in 2018 and settled into a life of an active assistant living community called Arbor Trace where an old schoolmate from Germany lived; Alberta Mitchum (now deceased) convinced him to come to Florida. His cousin Marilyn Wlodychak and second cousin Dieter Mahlstedt later joined him in the community.

Gunther enjoyed playing pickleball at Arbor Trace, joined a sailing club of remote controlled one meter soling boats, played in a weekly putting contest and played golf when he could which he enjoyed very much. Gunther also volunteered and dedicated his time as a Secretary on the Board of Directors of Arbor Trace and also a member of the Building & Grounds Committee. But Gunther took a very bad fall in March of 2026 while playing pickleball and endured some major injuries which he bravely tried to recover from.

Gunther was loved by many and close family members called him "Opi". He was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and tried his best to keep the family together as it was dealt with many sorrows of the passings of many family members. He tried to give his best advice and analyzed it fully to the best of his ability. He loved telling stories about growing up on a farm in Germany and even had the opportunity to travel back to his hometown with his four grandsons and his wife Helga in July, 2010. He enjoyed spending time with his daughter Christine as they travelled by car across the country from NY to Sedona, AZ and then to Naples, FL and had the opportunity to walk the grounds together of the Waste Management Phoenix Golf Tournament. Gunther looked forward to his daughters visits to FL with walks around his community, walks on the beach together and spoke about the tribulations about life. Sitting out on his lanai to watch the boats on the Gulf, watch the beautiful FL sunsets, drink a Manhattan and read the comics was one of Gunther's favorite things to do. He also loved sailing and fishing on the Hudson River and on Lake Wallenpaupack and camping up in Lake George with his family. "If you buy fish and eat the fish, the money and the fish are gone, but if you invest in a fishing line you can eat fish for many days" or "it will always come out in the wash" Gunther always said. His family and friends will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his daughter Christine M. Gill and her husband Shane V. Gill, his grandson Steven G. Luhrs and his wife Jennifer, his grandson Dr. Corey M. Gill and his wife Alison, his grandson Mitchell J. Luhrs and his wife Katelyn, and his brother Johann Luhrs, his wife Herta and his sister Irma that reside in Germany. He is also survived by his wonderful great-grandchildren; Annalise Luhrs, Mason Luhrs, Jase Luhrs, Beau Gill, Savannah Gill and Weston Luhrs.

Gunther was predeceased by his father Johann in 1947, his mother Katharina in 1972, three brothers, Alfred, George, Richard and sisters Else and Marianne, his beautiful wife Helga after 53 years of marriage in 2014, his son Joachim G. Luhrs in 2009, his son Michael K. Luhrs in 2011, his grandson Brian T. Luhrs in 2023 and by his daughter-in-law Bonnie J. Luhrs in 2024.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Gunther at the Arbor Trace Community, Top of the Pointe, in Naples, FL on June 3rd from 5-7pm and a private family funeral service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Gunther H. Luhrs Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund for John Jay High School. Please make payable to the Wappingers Central School District, District Office, 25 Corporate Drive, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533 and reference Gunther H. Luhrs Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund.