11/27/2023
Gerhard E. Hiemer of Hiemer & Company Stained Glass Studio, Clifton, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2023. Born in Columbus, Ohio, to Edward and Elsie Hiemer, where Hiemer & Company was established. At a young age, he moved to New Jersey with his family where in 1949 the current studio was built. At the age of 18 Hiemer enlisted in the US Army and served 2 years in Aritrea, Ethiopia, before receiving an honorable discharge in 1952. In 1969 he became President of the Hiemer & Company upon his father’s passing.
During his early years as President Hiemer focused on new stained glass primarily for the Catholic Church working with artists such as Jacob Renner, George Stephen Walsh, and Franz Schroeder, among others. When the trends in the Catholic Church moved toward more ecumenical structures in the 1970’s, stained glass became less desirable for religious communities. Gerry took stock of the talent among his craftsman and refocused the company to meet other needs such as J Sussman replacement window frames, new entries, and stained glass restoration.
When Gerhard’s father, Edward, was named a Fellow of the SGAA, Gerhard took his place as representative of the family business and served on various committees before being elected to two terms as President of the SGAA from 1984-1986. As president he sought to bring greater recognition to Apprenticeship training not only in the SGAA but in the New Jersey Department of Education and The United States Department of Labor. When the US government sought to ban lead in the environment, Gerry testified on behalf of the stained glass industry before Congress to seek an exception for the use of lead in this trade.
In 1997, Hiemer retired and his daughter and fourth generation member of the family in the stained glass craft, Judith Van Wie, became President of Hiemer & Company.
