Mr. Speth passed away at the age of 95. "Fred" lived a full, at times tumultuous, life and in his 95 years witnessed many momentous upheavals and changes.
Fred("Opa")as he was called by his 4 grandchildren), was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1909. He lost his father early in World War I and, as a young boy, experienced hunger and the horrors of a continent torn apart by war. He then lived through the almost unimaginable inflationary period of the 1920s, when a million marks was barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
In 1931, he married high school sweetheart, Lottie Berring, in Berlin, Germany, and they had their first child, Claus Peter, in 1936, while Fred was studying at the Cologne University. However, Europe was once again on the threshold of catastrophe and, abhorring the ugly racism of the Nazis, Fred electively abandoned by mountains and forests that he loved as a youth and emigrated in 1936 to the U. S. to start life anew. A year later, his wife, Lottie(who passed away in Cardinal Village a year ago, also at 95), and Claus Peter, followed him to the States.
The Speths settled in northern New Jersey, where Fred's job was located and close to where Lottie's brother and family resided. In 1943, their 2nd child, John David, was born there. Because his considerable pre-war education in Germany, where he had studied economics and law with the hope of one day become a university professor, was of little use in the U. S., Alfred basically had to start over again, becoming a C. P. A., a profession he followed as a financial consultant to corporations until his retirement from the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1971.
When Fred had first arrived in the States, he could hardly speak a word of English, and learned the language "on the job," aided by a lifelong love of crossword puzzles. Though he quickly mastered English, and possessed a remarkable vocabulary, Fred never totally shed his German accent, which was a source of endless good-natured teasing by those close to him (e. g. "Speth" came out as "Spess" and spoon as "shpoon").
Fred expereienced a number of hobbies and interests that give his life meaning and enjoyment. Alfred was a devoted
chess player, was passionate about nature and was an avid ecologist long before it became fashionable in the U. S. He loved many sports, but at the top of his list were skiing, hiking in the mountains and deserts, and tennis, as well as sailing.
He loved "rock-hounding", rafting, wood working, watercolor painting, dancing, classical music as well as later broadening his love of music to include international folk music, 1950s-1960s, country music and of course polkas. He loved reading fairy tales and fables and philosophy. He relished debating on a number of issues. His reading also included mysteries and detective novels, with Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and the "Rabbi" series by Harry Kemelman.
Although life was not always easy for him, and he had to make many sacrifices along the way, Fred always lived his life fully. Opa will be missed by his 2 sons and their families.
Alfred and Lottie's older son, Claus Peter is a physician and is married to Helge. Their daughter, Heide Kirstin survives her grandfather as does her 2 children. Alfred's grandson Jan Karsten is a Director at Black Rock Corp. in New York City.
Alfred and Lottie's 2nd son, John David, is a Ph.D and professor in archeology. He is married to Lisa Young. They have 2 children, Larrea and Robin.
Fred("Opa")as he was called by his 4 grandchildren), was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1909. He lost his father early in World War I and, as a young boy, experienced hunger and the horrors of a continent torn apart by war. He then lived through the almost unimaginable inflationary period of the 1920s, when a million marks was barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
In 1931, he married high school sweetheart, Lottie Berring, in Berlin, Germany, and they had their first child, Claus Peter, in 1936, while Fred was studying at the Cologne University. However, Europe was once again on the threshold of catastrophe and, abhorring the ugly racism of the Nazis, Fred electively abandoned by mountains and forests that he loved as a youth and emigrated in 1936 to the U. S. to start life anew. A year later, his wife, Lottie(who passed away in Cardinal Village a year ago, also at 95), and Claus Peter, followed him to the States.
The Speths settled in northern New Jersey, where Fred's job was located and close to where Lottie's brother and family resided. In 1943, their 2nd child, John David, was born there. Because his considerable pre-war education in Germany, where he had studied economics and law with the hope of one day become a university professor, was of little use in the U. S., Alfred basically had to start over again, becoming a C. P. A., a profession he followed as a financial consultant to corporations until his retirement from the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1971.
When Fred had first arrived in the States, he could hardly speak a word of English, and learned the language "on the job," aided by a lifelong love of crossword puzzles. Though he quickly mastered English, and possessed a remarkable vocabulary, Fred never totally shed his German accent, which was a source of endless good-natured teasing by those close to him (e. g. "Speth" came out as "Spess" and spoon as "shpoon").
Fred expereienced a number of hobbies and interests that give his life meaning and enjoyment. Alfred was a devoted
chess player, was passionate about nature and was an avid ecologist long before it became fashionable in the U. S. He loved many sports, but at the top of his list were skiing, hiking in the mountains and deserts, and tennis, as well as sailing.
He loved "rock-hounding", rafting, wood working, watercolor painting, dancing, classical music as well as later broadening his love of music to include international folk music, 1950s-1960s, country music and of course polkas. He loved reading fairy tales and fables and philosophy. He relished debating on a number of issues. His reading also included mysteries and detective novels, with Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and the "Rabbi" series by Harry Kemelman.
Although life was not always easy for him, and he had to make many sacrifices along the way, Fred always lived his life fully. Opa will be missed by his 2 sons and their families.
Alfred and Lottie's older son, Claus Peter is a physician and is married to Helge. Their daughter, Heide Kirstin survives her grandfather as does her 2 children. Alfred's grandson Jan Karsten is a Director at Black Rock Corp. in New York City.
Alfred and Lottie's 2nd son, John David, is a Ph.D and professor in archeology. He is married to Lisa Young. They have 2 children, Larrea and Robin.
Mr. Speth passed away at the age of 95. "Fred" lived a full, at times tumultuous, life and in his 95 years witnessed many momentous upheavals and changes.
Fred("Opa")as he was called by his 4 grandchildren), was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1909. He lost his father early in World War I and, as a young boy, experienced hunger and the horrors of a continent torn apart by war. He then lived through the almost unimaginable inflationary period of the 1920s, when a million marks was barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
In 1931, he married high school sweetheart, Lottie Berring, in Berlin, Germany, and they had their first child, Claus Peter, in 1936, while Fred was studying at the Cologne University. However, Europe was once again on the threshold of catastrophe and, abhorring the ugly racism of the Nazis, Fred electively abandoned by mountains and forests that he loved as a youth and emigrated in 1936 to the U. S. to start life anew. A year later, his wife, Lottie(who passed away in Cardinal Village a year ago, also at 95), and Claus Peter, followed him to the States.
The Speths settled in northern New Jersey, where Fred's job was located and close to where Lottie's brother and family resided. In 1943, their 2nd child, John David, was born there. Because his considerable pre-war education in Germany, where he had studied economics and law with the hope of one day become a university professor, was of little use in the U. S., Alfred basically had to start over again, becoming a C. P. A., a profession he followed as a financial consultant to corporations until his retirement from the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1971.
When Fred had first arrived in the States, he could hardly speak a word of English, and learned the language "on the job," aided by a lifelong love of crossword puzzles. Though he quickly mastered English, and possessed a remarkable vocabulary, Fred never totally shed his German accent, which was a source of endless good-natured teasing by those close to him (e. g. "Speth" came out as "Spess" and spoon as "shpoon").
Fred expereienced a number of hobbies and interests that give his life meaning and enjoyment. Alfred was a devoted
chess player, was passionate about nature and was an avid ecologist long before it became fashionable in the U. S. He loved many sports, but at the top of his list were skiing, hiking in the mountains and deserts, and tennis, as well as sailing.
He loved "rock-hounding", rafting, wood working, watercolor painting, dancing, classical music as well as later broadening his love of music to include international folk music, 1950s-1960s, country music and of course polkas. He loved reading fairy tales and fables and philosophy. He relished debating on a number of issues. His reading also included mysteries and detective novels, with Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and the "Rabbi" series by Harry Kemelman.
Although life was not always easy for him, and he had to make many sacrifices along the way, Fred always lived his life fully. Opa will be missed by his 2 sons and their families.
Alfred and Lottie's older son, Claus Peter is a physician and is married to Helge. Their daughter, Heide Kirstin survives her grandfather as does her 2 children. Alfred's grandson Jan Karsten is a Director at Black Rock Corp. in New York City.
Alfred and Lottie's 2nd son, John David, is a Ph.D and professor in archeology. He is married to Lisa Young. They have 2 children, Larrea and Robin.
Fred("Opa")as he was called by his 4 grandchildren), was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1909. He lost his father early in World War I and, as a young boy, experienced hunger and the horrors of a continent torn apart by war. He then lived through the almost unimaginable inflationary period of the 1920s, when a million marks was barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
In 1931, he married high school sweetheart, Lottie Berring, in Berlin, Germany, and they had their first child, Claus Peter, in 1936, while Fred was studying at the Cologne University. However, Europe was once again on the threshold of catastrophe and, abhorring the ugly racism of the Nazis, Fred electively abandoned by mountains and forests that he loved as a youth and emigrated in 1936 to the U. S. to start life anew. A year later, his wife, Lottie(who passed away in Cardinal Village a year ago, also at 95), and Claus Peter, followed him to the States.
The Speths settled in northern New Jersey, where Fred's job was located and close to where Lottie's brother and family resided. In 1943, their 2nd child, John David, was born there. Because his considerable pre-war education in Germany, where he had studied economics and law with the hope of one day become a university professor, was of little use in the U. S., Alfred basically had to start over again, becoming a C. P. A., a profession he followed as a financial consultant to corporations until his retirement from the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1971.
When Fred had first arrived in the States, he could hardly speak a word of English, and learned the language "on the job," aided by a lifelong love of crossword puzzles. Though he quickly mastered English, and possessed a remarkable vocabulary, Fred never totally shed his German accent, which was a source of endless good-natured teasing by those close to him (e. g. "Speth" came out as "Spess" and spoon as "shpoon").
Fred expereienced a number of hobbies and interests that give his life meaning and enjoyment. Alfred was a devoted
chess player, was passionate about nature and was an avid ecologist long before it became fashionable in the U. S. He loved many sports, but at the top of his list were skiing, hiking in the mountains and deserts, and tennis, as well as sailing.
He loved "rock-hounding", rafting, wood working, watercolor painting, dancing, classical music as well as later broadening his love of music to include international folk music, 1950s-1960s, country music and of course polkas. He loved reading fairy tales and fables and philosophy. He relished debating on a number of issues. His reading also included mysteries and detective novels, with Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and the "Rabbi" series by Harry Kemelman.
Although life was not always easy for him, and he had to make many sacrifices along the way, Fred always lived his life fully. Opa will be missed by his 2 sons and their families.
Alfred and Lottie's older son, Claus Peter is a physician and is married to Helge. Their daughter, Heide Kirstin survives her grandfather as does her 2 children. Alfred's grandson Jan Karsten is a Director at Black Rock Corp. in New York City.
Alfred and Lottie's 2nd son, John David, is a Ph.D and professor in archeology. He is married to Lisa Young. They have 2 children, Larrea and Robin.
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