Gerda Wohl, 88, a chemist who helped develop chewing gum formulas at the Wrigley Co. and was an accomplished artist, died of a stroke on Tuesday, May 7, in her home at the North Shore Hotel in Evanston. Born in Breslau, Germany, which is now part of Poland, Ms. Wohl showed an early aptitude for both science–her father was an engineering and physics professor–and art, according to her niece, Carole McCurdy. Because she was Jewish, she left Nazi Germany in 1942 for Salzburg, Austria. After the World War II, Ms. Wohl worked as a translator and secretary for the American military government and immigrated in 1949 to Delaware. She moved to Chicago three years later and settled in Bridgeport. Ms. Wohl started at Wrigley in 1953 as a secretary and translator, but the company soon discovered her aptitude for science. During her 25 years at the company, Ms. Wohl helped develop formulas for chewing gum flavors, including Big Red, and she also troubleshot manufacturing processes at various Wrigley plants. Ms. Wohl was also a painter and sculptor who showed her works locally, including at the No Exit Cafe in Rogers Park, and abroad. Ms. Wohl is survived by a sister, Dr. Gisela McCurdy; and a brother, Hans Joachim Wohl. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the North Shore Hotel, 1611 Chicago Ave., Evanston.
