Obituaries

BUCHHEIM, Gerd

Gerd Buchheim was born to Willy Buchheim & Rose Oppenhein in 1925 in Bad Wildugen, a small resort town in Germany. His early years were spent in Nazi Germany and his family was fortunate enough to miraculously escape shortly after his bar mitzvah, and Kristallnacht. Just before Kristallnacht, Gerd was able to save and hide a Torah scroll from a synogauge in the city of Kassel and later another Torah scroll from his own synagogue in Bad Wildungen. Shortly thereafter, Gerd, his brother Fritz, and his father were sent to Buchenwald labor camp. An officer recognized Gerd as too young and sent Gerd back on the train home. Gerd’s brother and father were both released shortly after. Gerd’s father managed to secure visas to Bolivia and the family settled in Cochabamba in 1938. Somehow, Gerd had managed to hide and bring both Torahs with him and later donated them to local synagogues.

Mr. Buchheim began his career as a pastry chef extraordinaire in Bolivia first serving as an apprentice and later working in hotels in Argentina. His son Jay recalls, “Dad loved German and South American culture, music and dancing. He was particularly fond of a Bolivian dish called Salteñas and even asked my brother Gary to bring some from Washington D.C. just a week ago.”

Mr. Buchheim’s journey as a chef continued with his lifelong partner, Edith Block, who he married on September 26, 1953. Edith was another German émigré living in Bolivia. Shortly after their wedding Gerd and Edith moved to New York and within a year to Cincinnati, Ohio. After 5 years working for Busken Bakery he opened up his own shop.

Buchheim Bakery opened in 1960 and was located in Golf Manor. The bakery was kosher and was frequented by the Cincinnati Jewish community. Gerd worked there with his wife Edith, brother Fritz, and sister-in-law Lore. He sold his interest in the bakery in 1973 to his brother.

Although Gerd spent some time working in the baking supply business, his real love was always baking and pastry creations. In 1980 he took the position of Executive Pastry Chef at the Cincinnati Westin Hotel, joined by his wife Edith who worked there as Assistant Pastry Chef. After 6 years he and Edith again opened a place of their own, The Pastry Shoppe, in Montgomery. In 1990 the business moved to Blue Ash and was renamed Maya’s after Gerd’s first granddaughter. One of Maya’s specialties was the Salteñas that Gerd learned to loved in Bolivia. His son Jay joined the enterprise as well. Mr. Buchheim was named Entrepreneur of the year by the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary in 2000. Edith, passed away in 2000; they had been married for 48 years. The store closed in 2003.

Even without a business to run Gerd remained busy as a volunteer at a number of Jewish institutions and agencies. From 2004 – 2012 he served as a volunteer with the Jewish Vocational Service, working with handicapped adults, and then as a baker at Golf Manor Synagogue. He received honors from both organizations. Gerd was recognized by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati as one of their volunteers of the year. He continued to bake at Golf Manor Synagogue until the age of 87 when his health forced him to retire.

Gerd Buchheim passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2014, at Cedar Village in Mason, Ohio. Survivors include Linda and David Tadir of Moshav Nir Moshe, Israel, Rebecca and Shmuel Birkan of Blue Ash, Ohio, Gary and Anita Buchheim of Springfield, Virginia, and Jay Buchheim and Thom Maxwell of Cincinnati. He also leaves eight grandchildren and four great- grandchildren.

Other survivors include his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lothar and Anita Haas of Cedar Village, Mason, Ohio; his sister-in-law Lore Buchheim of Coconut Creek, Florida, and his dear friend and companion Juanita Weiss of Cedar Village, Mason, Ohio.

Services were held on November 24th at Weil Funeral Home, Rabbi Hanan Balk & Rabbi Stuart Lavenda officiated. Shiva was observed at the home of Rebecca & Shmuel Birkan. Contributions in his memory can be sent to Cedar Village Nursing Home or charity of one’s choice.