Werner was born in Schweinfurt, Germany to parents Flora and Sigbert. Thanks to a tip off from a local constable about a planned deportation of their village’s Jews by Hitler’s troops, Werner and his parents fled to the United States via Belgium. They found their way to Washington Heights when Werner was 9 years old, none of them speaking a word of English. Their lives were shattered, losing entire families that were not as fortunate to escape. Both parents had to work multiple jobs to support their family while adjusting to life in America. Werner grew to love stick ball and baseball. He graduated from high school and entered the National Reserves for six years. He married Elizabeth Kay, whose family fled Vienna around the same time, in 1956 and began working with her parents in their import business. He and Liz settled in River Edge, NJ and had two sons, Stuart and Robert. Werner was a skilled salesman who was an excellent trend-spotter, eventually working with Walmart as a buyer. He and Liz traveled the world together and were active members of Temple Avodat Shalom in their northern NJ hometown. Werner was beloved by friends for being a mensch with a quick wit and easy laugh. He adored his sons and grandchildren. Lovingly remembered by his wife, Elizabeth, his sons Stuart (Heidi) and his grandchildren Isabel, Olivia, and Joshua, and Robert (Christine) and Jessica (Tony) and Noah. Donations in Werner’s name may be made to any Alzheimer’s organization.