Beloved face will be missed at Centurion coffee shop
“I lost my father, my friend, and my mentor. He was great, filled with love and endless kindness. The world is a lesser place after his passing.”
Residents, friends and family members of Wiidrich Gerber (73) will miss his friendly face at the Cherry Berry Café in Doringkloof , Centurion, after the co-owner of the family-owned coffee shop died on Sunday.
“His death leaves a huge void in our lives,” his wife, Dricha Gerber, said.
“He had Covid-19 and had been in hospital for three weeks when he died on Sunday. His kidneys failed.”
Wiidrich also leaves behind two sons, the eldest, Stef (who lives in Australia) and Hein (who was also the third owner of the business along with his parents).
Hein said he was at a loss for words.
“I lost my father, my friend, and my mentor. He was great, filled with love and endless kindness. The world is a lesser place after his passing.
“Never forgotten, always cherished, rest in peace, Dad.”
Dricha said they have been residents of Centurion since 1980. After Wiidrich retired from his business in the building industry, he enjoyed working in the coffee shop with Hein and herself.
She said Wiidrich was a deacon and later elder of the Dutch Reformed Church of Doringkloof for many years, and Voortrekker officer at Hoërskool Centurion.
Back in the day, he was also an excellent athlete, she said.
“At the coffee shop, he delighted in roasting the coffee.
“He will be sorely missed by all. He was a dynamic and honest man, truly an example to all of us.”
The shop had been closed for a few days to deal with Wiidrich’s passing, but reopened on Wednesday morning.
Dricha said due to a backlog with issuing of death certificates, no funeral arrangements have been made yet.
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