Franz Drees

Franz was born on January 15, 1932 in Koerbecke on the Moehne Lake in Germany. He attended the Aldegrever Gymnasium (high school ) in nearby Soest -- at times during bombing raids in World War II. After the war he earned degrees in economics, business administration and law from the University of Cologne. His first job after university was with the American Embassy in Bad Godesberg-Mehlem as an economic consultant. He jokingly said that he decided to leave this interesting and well-paid job because as a German citizen he could never become U.S. ambassador. In 1960, Franz became a staff member of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., where he worked for 37 years. His work involved frequent business trips to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 1965 he met and married the love of his life, Doris Anna Margarete nee Ramm. Together they had three children, whom he adored. When the children went to college, Franz and Doris embarked on an exciting new life, with Franz serving as the Fund’s Resident Representative in Sudan, Egypt, Sierra Leone and Albania. Franz retired in 1997, and began volunteer work as a teacher with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., helping adults receive a high school diploma (GED). He also volunteered at IONA, driving and accompanying elderly and handicapped people to appointments such as doctors’ visits. Franz liked nothing more than traveling the world and spending time with his family, particularly with his four grandchildren.

It is so hard to say goodbye. Franz, Papa, Opa — you will be in our hearts and thoughts forever!

Your wife Doris,

Children Franz Drees-Gross, Ulrike Sujansky and Caroline Drees, and their spouses Alexandra, Walter and Jim, Grandchildren Stefan, Markus, Klara and Natalie

Sister Elisabeth Nevries and her husband Bernd, children Pascal and Alexander

and all relatives and friends in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere around the world.