Columbus, GA — Mr. Helmut Gertjegerdes, retired newspaper publisher of The Columbus Times Newspaper, re- cently died peacefully at home, at the age of 90 years old. Mr. Gertjegerdes served at the newspaper as publisher, before his retiring. Prior to his being promoted to the position of co-publisher, Mr. Gertjegerdes served as managing editor of the publication. Under his administration, The Columbus Times Newspaper purchased the office for the publication, which was located at 2230 Buena Vista Road in the city. The Columbus Times Newspaper was an award-winning publica- tion, under his administration. The newspaper was a member of NNPA (the National Newspaper Publishers’ Association)— an organization of over 200 African-American newspapers and publications in the United States and South America. Prior to his locating to Columbus, Georgia in 1973, Mr. Gertjegerdes worked with the Ophelia DeVore Cosmetics, the Ophelia DeVore School and Grace Del Marco Model Agency in New York City. He was also a supervisor for the Fairlawn Bookbindery in Fairlawn, New Jersey. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 9947 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, Georgia. The family will receive guests at 3:30 p.m. the same day, at the same address.