Erich A. Witzel

Dr. Erich A. Witzel, 89, passed away on December 20, 2020, after a period of declining health.

Erich was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, the son of Letitia and Erich F. Witzel. He served in the Army after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, and then graduated from New York University’s College of Dentistry in 1959. He married Jane Thompson in 1961 and practiced dentistry in NJ until a 1978 move to New Hampshire to be closer to Jane’s family. Jane then joined Erich’s Lebanon, NH practice as dental assistant and office manager until their retirement.

Erich had a lifelong love of animals, music, baseball, photography, and collecting books & ephemera. He would often become nostalgic and share tales of his youth: receiving a school Latin award, participating in the New Jersey All-State Chorus, and snapping a photo of Joe DiMaggio during a Jersey City visit. As an adult he put his love of history and photography to good use, volunteering together with Jane for multiple community organizations and contributing to Plainfield’s 1991 town history, “Choice White Pines and Good Land.” Retirement allowed him more time to travel, read, scour flea markets to replenish his book supply, dote on his pets, and share meals and stories with his family and friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Jane and their infant son, Erich A. Witzel II. Survivors include daughters Meri (partner Scott) and Amy, his brother Bruce, and several nieces and nephews.