Uncle Hans, rest in peace

My mom just called to tell me that my Uncle Hans (Grandma Frieda's brother), passed away in Innsbruck today. He was 83, and is survived by his new bride Cristel, sons Albin & Norman, and their respective families (see below).

Photo: Uncle Hans with his sons Norman (younger, on left) and Albin, at Uncle Hans' wedding last year.



Albin & Norman sent a sweet email to many of us about Uncle Hans' passing; I won't repeat all of it, but these comments from Albin, then Norman, struck me:
"He received the best care possible and the hospital staff was exceptional. I think that he was happy that he did not have a prolonged disability.
We all will miss him very much and will celebrate many happy memories."

"While Dad probably had the strength to live to 100, he had 83 great years. He was frequently with his family and never really learned to slow down. We should all celebrate his life."


When we had Deven last year, Uncle Hans sent us a gift of some reusable cloth diapers that we wanted. I'm sad Deven will never know him. He was smart, practical, energetic, and had a quirky sense of humor that I can only attribute to his being an Austrian anesthesiologist with a pretty thick accent, living in Southern Cal.

I didn't actually know Uncle Hans that well - he lived in Laguna Beach, CA, and was an anesthesiologist. My mom and other relatives stayed in pretty close contact, and Albin and Norman lived with my family in Maryland for some time while they were in graduate school @ Georgetown.


Photo: My dad, Uncle Hans, and Uncle Helly (my mom's older brother), before Uncle Hans' wedding last summer:






I will remember Uncle Hans as a kind uncle, who always wanted me (and all the kids in our family) to learn. Learn a LOT. The best memory I have is from my teens, when he came for a visit (for a conference, I don't remember), and wanted to go to D.C. to the museums. He wanted to go with me - and Heather, I think - and we spent the whole day in some of the larger collections - the Natural History museum, American History, etc. He was SO happy to be with us as we were learning, about anything. Native Americans, bees, ancient Greece - it was all valuable knowledge to him, and he wanted us to have it. I think the thank-you note I wrote after that day was one of the first I ever penned - it was one of the first I remember enjoying writing after spending time with someone, anyway.

Photo: Uncle Hans & new bride Cristel, at their wedding last year:







He passed fairly quickly, which is good in my opinion. His ashes will be partly scattered at Laguna Beach, and partly laid to rest in the cemetery near his parents.

Photo: the family @ his wedding last year.
Bottom row, L-R: Kaitlin, Kampbell (Norman's daughters), Paul (Albin's son), Uncle Helly, Aunt Carolyn (Uncle Helly's wife), my mom
Top row, L-R: Loni (Norman's wife), Norman, Albin, Cristel, Uncle Hans, Jacqui (Albin's wife), and my dad.










This last photo is how I'd like to remember him. It's not a good photo, but he loved dancing, and I'm pretty sure this is him taking Cristel for a twirl, on the beach at their wedding reception last year. I hope that Cristel, Albin, Norman, and others who were close to him are doing OK - our thoughts are with them.

I'm sure he's dancing, where ever he is now. :)