Rudolf Richard Scheffrahn Obituary (1918

Rudolf Richard Scheffrahn, May 20, 1918 to December 10, 2011, 93 years old. My obituary in today"s Boerne Star, I have written in November, 2010 at the age of 92. My prayer of Thanks goes to Our Heavenly Father who has through my long life, at all times helped, guided, and protected me! I was born in Drengfurt, a small town in the former German province of East Prussia, the youngest son of the late Bruno and Margarete Scheffrahn. The move of my parents to Rastenburg, the county seat, enabled me to attend and graduate from the Herzog-Albrechts-Schule, well educated also with fluency in the English language. My advancing career in Civil Service ended when World War II started on September 1, 1939. I was drafted into the German army and eventually trained in wireless communications. I became an army radioman. Mostly I served at the Eastern the Russian Front, only slightly wounded. I served my former country honorably. Temporarily stationed in the German occupied Baltic State of Estonia, I met and fell in love with beautiful Lea Franke, daughter of respectable parents. As a radioman, better informed about the expected outcome of the war, by finding employment for Lia in Germany"s Black Forest, I was able to get her out, far away, much safer. We both survived the war. Estonia, Lia"s homeland now a part of Russia, East Prussia totally lost, we became refugees. At the lowest point in our lives, hoping for a better future, we got married in Steinheim, Bavaria, on September 1, 1945. No celebration, no wedding cake, no photos. In the years following, living hungry and humiliated, our son Karl was born in Albonstadt. For me a new livelihood opened when my late brother Gerhard, a Master Watchmaker, released as P.O.W., taught me his trade. With President Truman"s signing the "Displaced Persons Relocation Act," America offered a new future. When we applied, with Visa"s running low, at best 1 in 20 German refugees had a chance. My ability of speaking English during the proceedings, made the difference. We made it! On June 10, 1952 with 1350 other German immigrants, welcomed by the majestic Statue of Liberty, we arrived on board of the U.S. Troop Transport, "General C. C. Ballou" in New York Harbor. Thank you, all you wonderful people who helped us coming to America, God Bless all of you! Living and working in Elkhart, Indiana, in the following four years, we got another son, Rudolf. Passing the State of Indiana required examination, my new title was Master Watchmaker. Kia and I, often holding multiple jobs, living frugal, saving money. Recognizing better opportunities, we moved to California, driving in our Studebaker along historic Route 66. In the Texas Panhandle, Lia got ill, the hotel phoned for help. In no time at all, the most handsome, tall Texas Gentleman-Doctor arrived on horseback. After treating Lia, being told we"re on our way finding work in California, his charges: ONE DOLLAR! We never forget you fine, kind Texas doctor! No trouble getting a job, soon after I was able to open my own shop, also progressing into jewelry. Our future was bright, promising and lots of work coming in. Valentines Day, 1958, was our proudest day when Lia, Karl and I became American Citizens during a patriotic ceremony at the U. S. Courthouse of Los Angeles, California. The business growing, I working endless hours, we could purchase a nice little house. Also, for the first time, Lia and I could enjoy life, awarding us with vacations, also visiting Mexico. Money was saved for our sons education. Karl later to become a Dentist, practicing in Mineola, Texas. Rudolf an entomologist with the University of Florida. When retirement came, our move to Boerne, Texas, was a superb choice. Living without stress, enjoying clean air, meeting the friendliest people, soon engaged with new activities, we had it made! Able to continue my hobby by joining the Boerne Village Band, playing German music, was for years my most rewarding activity. As a volunteer docent, I also privileged to work for the Institute of Texan Cultures and for the National Park Service, assigned to the San Jose Mission. Suddenly, tragedy struck: Lia, due to a fall at home, injuried herself so severe, despite best medical care, unable to recover, suffering for years, on February 27, 2007, at age 82, she took her last breath. I , holding her hand, crying. After 61 << years of marriage, I lost my beautiful comrade-for-life, our family their beloved and adored mother, Lia"s body was cremated, her ashes given to the Texas earth. My life goes on, alone, day by day, as good as possible. It is time to say "Thank You and Good Bye" to those fine people knowing them or becoming their friends: The water aerobics at the Benedictine Sisters, Lia and I participated for years, meeting the nice ladies and gentlemen"Juanita and other ladies, given me the opportunity translating old German diaries, letters and documents"Thank you, Ken, for inviting me to hunt on your ranch, Farmers Market doing the processing"Stacy at Library keeping me e-mail connected with Estonia"Ginny for holding my insurance policies"Lester"s for keeping my car in running order"My glider-flight-friends at our airfield"Art & Missy at Walmart"the helpful, courteous police, city and county officials"Suzie, Duke, Catherine and all of my kind, helpful neighbors"Lillian for joining me at the Bowling Alley for a beer and a few good laughs"My son Karl, on 6/10/2010, re-visiting NY harbor, 58 years later"Thank You, Sir, for inviting my visiting Estonian nieces to your Herff Ranch"sorry, Robert, no "Baerenjaeger" for me anymore " you, Parcel-Express copy ladies had enough of my "That"s too much" nonsense. Finally, Thank You our "Boerne Star" for publishing this obituary and family events in our past. So long, my out-of-town friends, the Nathan Macias family, my "Landsmann" Herb Scheider, my friends at the Corsiciana Collin Street Bakery. My relatives and friends in Estonia, Germany, Sweden and Sweizerland. A special Thank you to Dr. Susan Lee for her super health care and to dear Toni San Miguel, my kindest helper to my life"s end. A loving good-by hug to all the members of my great family: Karl and Barbara, Rudi and Sue, grandchildren, David and Becky, Matthew and Mindy, Jonathan and Sarah, Bethany and Tyre, Mary and Lisa. My great grandchildren, William, Katherine, Anna, Claire, Asher, Caedmon, Bennet, Ruth, Josphine and Benjamin. The very best to all of you. I love you and will miss you. God bless America! p.s. Thank you, my wonderful family, for celebrating my 93rd birthday with me at the El Rio Restaurant and, most recently, my dear sons, Karl and Rudolf, also grandson David with family, visiting me, your prayers, your mail, your daily phone calls, all gratefully appreciated. Thank you, my dear local friends, Juanita, Carolyn, and Lillian for all your kindness. Thank you, Kathy, my Alamo Hospice nurse for your loving care, helping with my final health problems. Finally, thank you to my dear Toni, my care giver to the end, your kindness, your prayers, your truly Christian help, also for the formalities you"ll have to observe upon my demise. God Bless all of you, Rudolf.