Adelbert J. (Jack) Redel

Jack was born in St. Louis, Mo. in 1924 to Albert and Genevieve Redel. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with sisters: Gerry, Betty and Karla, and brothers Robert and Herman. He was in the U.S. Navy, Sea Bees from 1944-1946 served in the Pacific campaign, stationed on Okinawa. In March 1945 he married Anne Belan in Cleveland.

They first moved to Santa Monica, CA in 1955 to find work in the aircraft industry, but soon returned to Cleveland. In 1956 they returned to CA (again via Route 66) and eventually moved to Riverside where he was employed at Rohr Aircraft as a tool and die maker.

The skill needed for this job was exacting. It was amazing for Dad to excel in this career as he had developed ‘essential tremors’ in his 20s which caused his hands to tremble. He worked long hours, sacrificed leisure time and endured tough times financially, sometimes due to union strikes. He retired in 1988 after 33 years.

They bought their first brand new house in 1958 and raised a family of 3, Linda, David and Karen. He loved to tinker around the house, always fixing, improving or building-on. They purchased their second new home in 1978, where he continued to stay busy adding 2 large patios, a 400 sq. room addition and landscaping a huge yard with brickwork. He enjoyed trains of all sizes, real and toy and was very proud of the custom-made 30’ long train layout for his LGB train collection. He always enjoyed the Fallbrook steam engine festival and the March AFB open house.

After retiring, Mom and Dad at last enjoyed a Florida cruise and 2 trips to Europe. But Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. Throughout her treatment ordeal, Dad was her sole caretaker - to the end. It was horribly difficult but he never wavered or complained. They were married 46 years and in the 23 years since, he never stopped missing her.

He picked up the pieces after Mom’s passing and did an amazing job on his own. He ‘learned’ how to run a household, write checks, pay bills, all those things that Mom had always done. He was a quiet, kind, gentle man. Not much for tender words but you knew he would be there for you. He loved his family dearly and was loyal to long-time friends. He enjoyed sharing cocktails and beer. He believed in doing the right thing, never causing waves, quietly kept to his own affairs and generously took care of his family. He never swore, wouldn’t argue.

As his health and independence declined over the last four years, Dad lived in several senior care facilities/homes. He of course didn’t like his reliance on caretakers, but thankfully he wasn’t in physical pain. Even though his dementia slowly grew worse and his body weakened, he was adamant about ‘shuffling’ around the home with his walker…..until he could no longer - in the last two weeks.

Dad, you were admired and loved. We miss you already and always will.

You are now forever together with Mom, your one and only Sweetheart.