Collection HM1/731 - Adalbert Goertz Genealogical Collection

Adalbert Emanuel Goertz was born on December 3rd, 1928 in Langenau, Kreis Rosenberg, West Prussia, the son of Paul Gerhard Goertz and Margarete (Goertz) Schukat.

He grew up in East Prussia, attending High School (Gymnasium) in Konigsberg. During World War II he was drafted in 1944 at age 15, witnessed the destruction of historic downtown Konigsberg in August 1944, escaped besieged Konigsberg from the Red Army by boat to West Germany during the spring of 1945.

He graduated from High School (Oberschule) at St Peter-Ording in 1950. He made his first trip to the US from 1951-1952 where he attended Upland College, CA. From 1952-1958 he studied at the University of Frankfurt completing a Master's Degree (Diploma) in Physics. In 1958 he married Barbel Kittler from Danzig, Germany in the Neuwied-Torney Mennonite Church. In 1960 he emigrated with wife and children (Claudia and Dirk) to Boulder, Colorado. In 1968 he got his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado.

The family moved to Waynesboro, PA in 1968 where he taught Physics and Mathematics at various colleges. Over the years he studied history and the families of Mennonites in Prussia. In 1997 he retired with his wife Barbel in Colorado Springs and joined the Beth-El Mennonite Church.

He enjoyed studying the native bees (Apoidea) of Colorado since 2000 and helped to expand the website "FindaGrave" with the addition of more than 4000 memorials.

He is survived by his wife, Barbel, his brother Jan (Thunderbay, Ontario), his sister Ida (Freiburg, Germany) his children (Claudia, Dirk, Elke, Frauke and Hans-Peter), 12 grandchildren (Ali, Hannah, Adeheid, Darwish, Timothy, Haniel, Danial, Tabitha, Kiera, Nadjeschda, Tiphanine, and Aymeric) 3 step grandchildren (Bill, Brandon, Sara) and 2 great-grandchildren (Ivory and Sylvan).

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions to Beth-El Mennonite Church (4625 Ranch Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918), noted for completion of a Columbarium, would be most welcome.

You may find it interesting to follow the link below to Adalbert's mother, where much more information about the family, including Adalbert, can be found.

NOTE: The memorials created by Adalbert Goertz are today being maintained by Tom Crago, the creator of this memorial. You can direct questions to Tom on any of those memorials.

Family links:
Parents:
Margarete Johanne Julie Schukat Goertz (1900 - 1996)

Children:
Gudrun Elfriede Goertz (1967 - 1968)*

*Calculated relationship

Note: As of June 2012, a Colombarium has not been completed at Beth-El

Burial:
Beth-El Mennonite Church
Colorado Springs
El Paso County
Colorado, USA

Created by: Tom Crago
Record added: May 10, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 69628876

Source: Internet Obituary

Born 3 December 1928, Langenau, Kreis Rosenberg, West Prussia, Germany. Parents Paul Gerhard Goertz and Margarete Schukat.

Grew up on father's Rittergut at Powarben, Kreis Samland, East Prussia, 1933-1945.

Baptized 1943 at Elbing Mennonite church by Emil Händiges.

Entered high school 1939 at Friedrichs-Kollegium at Königsberg. Drafted into Heimatflak July 1944.

Finished high school at Oberschule St. Peter-Ording in Schleswig-Holstein 1948-1950.

MCC-sponsored exchange at Upland College (California) 1950-1951.

Studied physics at Frankfurt University 1951-1958 (Diplom-Physiker).

Married Bärbel Kittler at Niederbieber-Torney 8 August 1958.

Employed as physicist at Phillips research labs in Aachen and Eindhoven 1958-1960.

Migrated to United States in November 1960 to work at National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado.

Ph. D. in physics at University of Colorado, July 1968.

Moved to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, August 1968 to teach at Penn State University Mont Alto campus.

Retired to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1997.

Prolific writer on Prussian Mennonite family history.

Died 7 May 2011, Colorado Springs, Colorado.