Karsten Gehrke, 54, of Greenville passed away on June 2, 2022. Born in Germany he was the son of Ursula Ann Gehrke and the late Lothar Herwig Peter Gehrke.
Karsten was a happy and bright boy in his childhood. In his youth he met a lot with friends and went to parties. As soon as Karsten was older, he drove motorbikes and cars. Interest in motor vehicles has always been great. That’s why he also learned the trade of motor vehicle fitter.
Shortly after his training, he was allowed to travel to the Soviet Union and work there in the Urals on the GDR project “Druschba-Trasse” (oil pipeline). With the fall of communism (reunification of the two German states) in 1989/1990, his work on the oil pipeline ended and he began to work for a vehicle supplier in West Germany. There he soon got the chance to go to America. His dream of freedom, big cars and independence finally came true.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling, and debating world politics. He also had a passion for building metal objects and tinkering with tools.
Karsten will be remembered for his laugh, sense of humor, being with motorcycle groups and trade shows. He enjoyed his favorite restaurant and having beers with friends.
He is survived by his family in Germany along with many friends from the Greenville area including his special friends, Addy Sulley, David and Jennifer Meece.
Private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the local food bank or the American Heart Association.