Helmut L. Hoyer (1932 – 2025)
Helmut L. Hoyer, 93, of Bethlehem, passed away surrounded by his family on Dec. 28, 2025. He was the husband of Hedwig (Hedi) Hoyer for 53 years until her passing on Jan. 11, 2009. Helmut was born in Königsberg, Czech Republic, on Jan. 3, 1932, the son of the late Johann and Anna (Dick) Hoyer. A wonderful, loving father, he lived an amazing but hard life. A child in the second World War and a refugee from his home in Sudetenland, now Czech Republic, he started a new life in Bavaria, Germany. There he met his wife and they welcomed their first child before immigrating to the United States. Having received excellent schooling in Germany, he mastered his trade well as an auto mechanic. He proved quite quickly to his first employer that he was one of the best in his field. A few years later he opened up his own business, Helmut Hoyer’s Foreign Car Sales and Service. He treated his customers like family and made a name for himself. We often had to smile, and even in his last years, wherever we went there was always somebody who came up to him and said, “you’re Helmut Hoyer.” He loved fishing, both in lakes and deep sea. He also enjoyed hunting. When he no longer was able to do these things physically, he found his new enjoyment going to the casino. He lived a life we should all aim for: humble and kind and never taking anything for granted. He always said that if it wasn’t for his beloved wife Hedwig–who he adored–he could not have accomplished all that he did. He loved his family above all.
SURVIVORS
Daughters: Brigitte Schmidt, wife of Frank, and Sonja Hagenbuch, wife of Terry; son: Robert H. Hoyer, husband of Grace; sister: Emmi Foreman; four grandchildren: Christopher Hagenbuch, husband of Danielle, Stephen Hoyer, Sophia Hoyer and Alexis Hoyer; three great-grandchildren: Hannah, Christopher and Thomas Hagenbuch. He was predeceased by a sister: Martha Howe.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon with prayers at 11:15 a.m. at Herron Funeral Home, 458 Center St., Bethlehem. Funeral arrangements are by the Herron Funeral Home, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Donations in Helmut’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association.