Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 4, 2025

CHARLOTTE - Helmut Deussen was born May 24, 1925 in Moenchengladbach, Germany, passed away peacefully, at his home on October 4th, 2025. He was predeceased by his mother, Elisabeth Sieberz Deussen, and his father, David Deussen. He was married to Elizabeth Grayson Deussen of Summerton, SC for 44 years until her death in 2002.

Helmut was conscripted into the German Army at age 17. He served in the Signal Corps in various campaigns throughout Europe for 2 years before being captured by American forces when retreating from Normandy. Helmut's strength and courage were severely tested as a prisoner of war for over 2 years; however, he always spoke kindly of his captors and acknowledged that the American forces treated him with respect. Upon his release, Helmut returned to his hometown, found jobs in several textile mills, and attended evening classes to earn a degree in textile engineering.

In 1948 he joined W. Schlafhorst & Co., a manufacturer and exporter of textile machinery. There he began a 45-year distinguished career. After training in all manufacturing phases, he traveled throughout western Europe, acquiring fluency in the French and English languages. In 1954 he was sent to the United States to demonstrate a new yarn winding system. A year later, he assisted in founding the American Schlafhorst Company in Charlotte, NC. With the Terrell Machine Company as the sales and service arm, Helmut adapted and perfected Schlafhorst machinery to the stringent requirements of US textile mills.

Even though Helmut had no interest in golf or football, William S. "Bill" Terrell became his mentor, sponsor, and best friend. Helmut flew across the Atlantic nearly a hundred times to communicate with Schalfhorst in Germany, to attend International Textile Machinery Exhibitions, or to visit his parents. He visited Australia on fiber and processing matters; and went to China with a State Department Delegation to study cotton growing and processing. He was a frequent lecturer in textile circles in the US. His 1993 book on "Rotor Spinning" is used by textile colleges worldwide.

Helmut became a US citizen in 1963. As a successful investor, he devoted his life savings to higher education which he himself was denied during and after World War Il. He created an endowment for students in the greater Charlotte area to attend Catholic high schools and also helped a number of students to graduate from Davidson College. Many students interested in college degrees in economics, the sciences, and classic philosophy will benefit from the Helmut and Elizabeth Deussen Endowment at Belmont Abbey College.

He was a past member of the Board of Trustees of Belmont Abbey College and of Davidson College's Board of Visitors. He was a Member of the Rotary Club of Charlotte for six decades and belonged to the Charlotte Rose Society. He retired in 1996 and has lived at the Cypress of Charlotte since its opening in 1999.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Basilica of Mary Help at Belmont Abbey, Belmont, NC, on Thursday, October 9th at 11:00 a.m. with Abbot Placid Solari officiating. He will be laid to rest privately at the side of his wife in Evergreen Cemetery, Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Helmut and Elizabeth Deussen Endowment" at Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.