Werner Krethe Lawther of Huntsville passed away on July 6, 2019 at age 86. Werner was born in 1933 in Hörne-Balje, Germany to Frida Schumacher and Heinrich Krethe. After his graduation from high school in 1950, he emigrated to the US through the sponsorship of his aunt and uncle in Flint, MI. He attended General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation he worked for Buick. In 1956 he enlisted in the US Naval Aviation program and became a Navy pilot.
Following active duty at the Naval Air Test Center in Maryland, Werner moved to Huntsville in 1960 with his family to begin a career in the space and missile industry. He joined the Army Missile Command in 1971 and retired as Deputy Director of SAM-D in 1995. He continued his flying career with the Navy Reserve until his retirement in 1977 as Commander.
Werner married Jerry Elizabeth Booksh of Mobile, AL in 1958. Together they had three children. Jerry died in 1979 after a long illness with cancer.
Werner married Barbara Simmons Lawther of Boaz, AL in 1980. Werner and Barbara loved to travel and have visited much of the US and Canada, and have been to numerous destinations around the world. They are members of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Werner is survived by his wife Barbara Simmons Lawther; his three children Alison Meador (Jeff) and their children Ford, Jay and Mark; Mark Lawther (Laurie) and their children Emily and Colin; Monica Urban (Lowell) and their children Scott, James and Hannah; great-grandson, Jeffery P. Meador; and his two brothers, Ernst Krethe (Rita), Gunter Krethe.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 301 Drake Ave SE, with the funeral immediately following at the church. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian or your favorite charity.
