NEWPORT NEWS - George Franke Helfrich, a humble, loving family man, died on July 17, 2009, after a long, courageous battle with prostate cancer.
Born in New Orleans on July 22, 1933, he was a Peninsula resident for 39 years.
An Adjunct Professor of Law at William & Mary for more than 13 years, he loved his students and teaching. During his tenure with the law school, he built a curriculum and developed courses that introduced students to the practice of patent law and prepared them to sit for the Patent Bar.
A patent and trademark attorney in private practice, and a consultant with Kaufman and Canoles, he retired as patent counsel for NASA Langley in 1998 and as patent counsel for BASF in Williamsburg in 1986. Earlier in his career, Cmdr. Helfrich served in the Coast Guard Reserve, including an assignment as an instructor at the Coast Guard Academy and as a unit commander in New Orleans. He also worked for Dow Chemical and Shell Oil in Louisiana. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tulane University in chemistry, a Fulbright Scholar in Karlsruhe, Germany, and received his Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University. He graduated as Valedictorian from F.T. Nicholls High School in New Orleans in 1951.
A kind and gentle soul, he touched many people over the years. His wife and family were his joy and passion, as was his work, traveling, church, baseball and symphony concerts.
Helfrich is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Ann Helfrich; his son, David Helfrich of Newport News; daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Stefan Susta of Dayton, Ohio; daughter and son-in-law, Holly Helfrich and Julien Maillard of Grenoble, France; and his sister, Lois Lyn Hellmers of New Orleans.
On Wednesday, July 22, at 7 p.m., a celebration of his life will take place at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Newport News, officiated by Pastor Chris Hallaren with a reception immediately following the service. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Virginia Symphony, 861 Glenrock Road, Suite 200, Norfolk, VA 23502, or Grace Church, P.O. Box 2188, Newport News, Va. 23609. View and post condolences on the online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
— Excerpted from the Daily Press
