Herbert Johannes Riedl

A military honors and committal for Herbert will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, Oregon.

Herbert Riedl Life Story

Herbert Johannes Riedl was born July 3, 1930, in the City of Plauen, State of Saxony in eastern Germany. Herbert was born to parents Paul Johannes "Hans" and Vera Riedl. Herbert joined a sister Erika and later welcomed a brother, Eberhard into the family. A younger brother, Roland, died of diphtheria at the age of five.

After Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany in 1933, life growing up in Germany changed. Herbert’s father was imprisoned in a Nazi-Concentration Camp "Buchenwald" because of listening to BBC(English enemy radio). Though never sympathetic to the Nazi cause, Herbert was forced to participate in mandatory German Youth Organization activities. Participation in a Hitler Youth Organization was required and mandatory as a result of a 1936 Hitler proclamation that all "Aryan" German youth aged ten and above, join. Herbert was inducted into the Deutsche Jungvolk at the age of ten. He participated until age 13 when he was eligible for the "Hitler Youth"(Hitler Jungend), where he participated until World War II ended in 1945. Herbert professed to have participated in mandatory weekly training classes and activities but he did not take part in parades and celebrations.

By all known accounts, Herbert, also known by the nickname Bubi(Boobie), had a limited school upbringing. Considering the war, and later the conditions in his occupied East German City of Plauen, this was understandably normal for the times. He mentioned one favorite teacher, Herr Dittes, and a favorite pet, a cat named 'Nuessel", in conversations. It is known that Herbert and his sister, Erika, lived with the family of his mother's parents, Richard and Anna Kluge, for some time. We know his mother had sent them off, being too poor to feed them, with his father Hans in a Nazi-Concentration Camp. A childhood friend, Karl, recalled from Germany, that as youth they loved to ride along on the trailer hitch of the tram in Pluaen or to ride on the coach seat of a Russian horse-drawn carriage. They often played on the next hill, called "Kuntzehohe".

After the war, his Eastern German city was occupied by USSR forces and thrown into a deep depression. At an early age, Herbert had expressed a desire to flee eastern Germany and make it to the United States. The division of Germany, into an occupied East and West Germany only fueled that desire. Being behind "The Iron Curtain" presented hardships to every citizen. Not much is known about Herberts' life between about ages of 15 and 23. At some point during this period, Herbert had learned the profession of "Steindrucker" (Stone-printer) which was an old kind of printing. He learned it in a Plauen factory, called "Sachsendruck". Herbert excelled at and enjoyed the work. It would turn out to be his lifelong avocation.

Herbert described being one of about 500,000 immigrants escaping East Germany to West Germany between 1951 and 1953. He accomplished the task by concealing himself on a train that traveled between East and West Germany. He successfully concealed himself during the last East German stop, where he was required to depart, but instead, he continued into West Germany.

Herbert’s next aspiration became, getting to the Americas. Herbert spent time in West Berlin, where he learned English. Herbert saved money to board a ship for passage to Canada since there was no direct path for him to get to his desired United States destination. In 1953 he boarded that ship and sailed to Canada, where he eventually settled in Ontario, Canada. Herbert got work as a hospital aide and continued to save money to attain his goal of getting to his planned United States destination in the Americas. Finding that only French was spoken in the Ontario area he first settled into, he took a crash course to learn another new language. On May 25, 1954, while working in the hospital, Herbert also passed and received a certificate in "Basic English and Citizenship", from the Canadian government in Ontario.

Soon it was time to make his move to the United States. Herbert decided to go to Detroit, Michigan, where he heard there was work transporting cars to destinations across the United States. Herbert soon found work driving a new car to Portland Oregon, on the West Coast. Quite an adventure for a young German lad. Herbert never had a clue what a stroke of luck that delivery would end up being.

Herbert contracted to deliver a new car to the Bushue family, who lived just east of Portland Oregon. Herbert drove the car across the country, delivering the car to a very grateful family. Anna and Herold Bushue took a great interest in Herbert’s' story and welcomed him to visit whenever he liked. They were happy to give him tips about work and life in the area. They developed a quick and deep friendship. Herbert hadn't necessarily planned to take up residence in Oregon but he fell in love with the area and the people, like the Bushue's.

Shortly after arriving in Oregon, Herbert received notice that he had a military obligation now that he was in the United States. To remain, he was required to enlist in the Army. Herbert was inducted into the US Army on March 12, 1956, and shipped off almost immediately to Fort Carson, Colorado, for 8 weeks of basic training. Herbert returned to Fort Lewis Washington, where he waited for deployment orders. Due to his ability to speak fluent German and translate, Herbert received orders to join NATO forces in Europe, as a German translator for troops in West Germany.

It was during this assignment that Herbert’s life would again take a turn. Like many young German men, Herbert enjoyed both socializing and drinking a few beers in the German beer halls. He was quite popular amongst his English-speaking Army buddies, interpreting and assisting in introductions with patrons. After being stationed near the West German town of Furth, Herbert was able to slip away to those beer halls occasionally, with his Army buddies. It was in one of those beer halls where a young Johanna Heinlein caught Herbert’s eye. Herbert proclaimed she was "the most beautiful girl he had ever seen". He had no intentions of helping any of his buddies with an introduction to her. After introducing himself, a brief courtship ensued, with him winning her heart. After the short courtship and with his deployment to Europe soon ending, Herbert promised Johanna he would send for her once he was back in the United States.

In what seemed like a whirlwind of life experiences, Herbert found himself back in the United States, where he was released from active duty on December 18, 1956. Herbert was quickly hired as a hospital aide and rented a small apartment on NW Trinity in Portland. Having stayed in touch by mail during his deployment, Herbert quickly reunited with the Bushue family when he returned to Portland. He told stories of his experiences and most importantly of his sweetheart, whom he had left in Furth.

Herbert had found that Johanna could only come to the United States if she had a sponsor family, of good standing in the community. The Bushues were overjoyed to help Herbert fulfill his promise to Johanna, of getting her to the United States. After establishing communication with Johannas' parents in Furth and securing sponsorship for Johanna, her immigration to the United States was arranged, with the help of the Bushue family. On April 15, 1958, Johanna arrived in the United States, by airliner. Shortly thereafter, on May 29, 1958, Herbert and Johanna were married in a small ceremony at the Courthouse in Stevenson, Washington.

The couple took up residence in a small apartment on SE 34th Avenue in Portland. Herbert soon changed jobs, taking a job with the Oregon Daily Journal, printing the daily newspaper. Herbert landed this better-paying job because of the knowledge he had gained in the stone-printing profession he learned in Plauen. Being married and working in a well-paying and regular profession, Herbert and Johanna began thinking about a family and a home of their own. They found a small bungalow on SE 45th Avenue near Division Street, not far from the apartment where they were first living. They were able to make a down payment and moved to the house, where they would spend over fifty years together. It was just a small two-bedroom, one-bath, single-story house with an attached garage. Located in a well-established neighborhood of mostly smaller homes, it was a perfect place to start a family. Johanna loved her vegetable and flower garden and Herbert had a small garage to do the tinkering he enjoyed. Music was regularly heard coming from the radio, phonograph, or the later cassettes and CDs they loved listening to. Playing and listening to music together would continue to be something they enjoyed throughout their lives together.

On April 12, 1960, Herbert and Johanna welcomed their first daughter, Monica, into their lives. Just a little more than a year later, on July 14, 1961, a second daughter, Linda, joined the family. Making a comfortable home for themselves and their daughters was now their American Dream.

Growing up, the girls attended the nearby local public grade school and Franklin High School. This proved a bit harder than normal for the girls because only the Franconian dialect of German, that Johanna spoke, was used at home until after the girls were in school. Herbert found better-paying print jobs, first at Dewar Printing, then at Oregon Printing Plates. He became a member of the Graphics Communications International Union, gaining journeyman status in commercial offset, cylinder, and platen printing operations.

Herbert was discharged from the Army Reserve as a Specialist 4th Class, on March 30, 1962. Never backing away from his desire to become a citizen of the United States, Herbert successfully passed classes and tests to be Naturalized as an American citizen on November 14, 1963. This commitment extended to helping his wife, Johanna, to also become a Naturalized citizen of the United States in 1993.

In the approximately 20 years raising their two girls, between 1960 and 1980, Herbert and Johanna led a busy life focused around the girls and experiencing what their American home offered. Though employed full-time, Herbert would also occasionally moonlight, running print jobs for a couple of small local print shops. Johanna also worked occasionally, providing housecleaning services for any of several well-to-do families they knew. This work helped supplement paying the expenses for short trips and a few small luxuries they enjoyed. Regular trips were taken to visit the Bushues, who had befriended and assisted them in their journey. Trips to the Oregon coast, mountains, up the Columbia River Gorge, and to Vancouver Island and Canada were planned right along with summertime trips, usually with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, for a picnic at Blue Lake Park. Festivals, carnivals, car shows, or visits to gardens or the homes of friends were taken when the opportunity arose. A few places and activities seemed to have a special place with Herbert. He loved the pastries from Canada and the German wieners, meats, and pickles from Edelweiss Delicatessen. There were several favorite places Herbert liked to eat. Visiting Heidi’s Restaurant in Boring Oregon, Char Burger in Cascade Locks, Mo's in Newport Oregon, a sandwich or cinnamon roll at Rose's Deli in Northwest Portland, and Der Rheinlander in Portland for a German meal, were among his favorites. Herbert and Johanna took three trips back to Germany to visit family. Two trips were made with the girls when they were young. They went once again after the girls were grown.

A well-balanced mix of chores and responsibilities was firmly established at home. Johanna took care of the flowers and garden she loved. She kept a spotless house, sometimes with Herbert being reminded with a scolding, for bringing a "speck" of dirt into the house. Herbert took care of the car, whether it be the Rambler, the Ford Galaxy, or the Oldsmobile, and all the driving. Johanna never learned to drive. Herbert was also well known for his love of tinkering. With his toolbox and a small arsenal of tools, he could be regularly found trying to fix almost anything you might imagine. He was also game to go up and try to reroof the house or build a patio or tool shed.

Herbert loved a good game of chess. He was always quick with a smile and would strike up a conversation with anyone who would show the slightest interest in listening. He also looked forward to regular summer invitations to join his boss, salmon fishing the Columbia River, Buoy 10, or the ocean. Herbert and Johanna belonged to The Elks Club for a while, where they enjoyed the socialization and especially ballroom dancing. They also enjoyed, especially Johanna, that they could dress up for the dancing. As he got a bit older, Herbert would ride a bicycle with a grandchild(Brian) or go on long walks with Johanna. They would walk from home, through their neighborhood or up to local Mt. Tabor, or Laurelhurst Park and back.

Herbert retired from Oregon Printing Plates in 1990. By then, the girls had grown up with families of their own. Life was slowing down a bit, but walks and home chores, mixed with keeping up with the kids and their growing families, kept him busy. Going out to the Multnomah Greyhound track, just east of Portland, became a mainstay of their activities for a couple of years. Herbert and Johanna would regularly go eat at different buffets around town. Home Town Buffet was a favorite of theirs. They developed friendships with others eating there and regularly met quite a diverse group of people when out eating. They enjoyed going to Lincoln City and to the casino located near there. They visited the casino more for the buffet offerings, sometimes a little bingo, than for any of the shows or gambling. Herbert and Johanna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 29, 2008, with a short trip to Lincoln City to highlight the celebration.

Sadly, five months after they celebrated fifty years of marriage, on October 30, 2008, Herbert’s beloved Johanna passed from complications of pancreatic cancer. Herbert was devastated but he was determined to carry on in his own home. Herbert still regularly drove his Oldsmobile and then a Chevy Spark, which he bought new in 2013, to visit his daughter in Gresham. He would stop by the cemetery to visit Johanna’s gravesite while on his way home from those visits. Herbert still loved to shop, especially at Trader Joes and Edelweiss for the treats he loved. Did I mention he loved pastries? He also never met a cheesecake, bowl of ice cream, or German dessert cake "Marzipan" that he didn't like.

After retiring, Herbert experienced a few medical issues himself. He was a survivor of prostate cancer and its treatment regimen. Medical adversities struck again, with blood clots forming in a leg and his lung. A hospital stay and medications helped, but it soon became apparent Herbert couldn't quite keep up with his home, his care, and the administration of needed medications. It was decided he needed help and that he would sell his home and move in with his daughter Linda and her husband and young son, Jim and Brayden, in close by Gresham.

Choosing to sell his home of over fifty years was a challenge that had to be met in the spring of 2016. Family helped him sort through things to be kept, sold, or given away. Many long-forgotten treasures were uncovered and the home was finally emptied and sold that summer. Herbert began a three-and-a-half-year stay with his daughter Linda and family, that summer of 2016. Herbert brought his pared-down belongings and was happy in his new surroundings. He would enjoy the sun from the back deck and he especially loved picking and eating tomatoes from the garden. Fresh tomatoes were one of his favorite things. Herbert would participate in short trips with the family, even occasionally going swimming at the local public pool with his young grandson Brayden. Herbert was always ready to go shopping or stop and talk to a neighbor. Herbert also flew to Colorado to stay with his daughter, Monica, quite often. On those trips, Monica would spoil him with shopping and trips to parks and areas of interest. He often talked of Estes Park, the hot air balloon launchings, and all the parties where he would meet and talk to friends and neighbors of Monica.

After three and a half years, a change was needed. Between family dynamics and what seemed to be a need for Herbert to have opportunities to socialize with more people his age, Herbert moved to "The Royalton", an assisted living facility. Herbert had a large room with a refrigerator and microwave. He had his computer and cell phone to help him keep in touch. Despite being in his eighties, Herbert was very capable of navigating facebook, messenger, and various applications and programs on his IPhone and computer. He brought a good selection of his favorite music recordings and a few video recordings he enjoyed viewing. A large community with nursing and care staff, a dining room, a library, managed medication administration, and opportunities to interact with many new people seemed to be a good fit for him. Herbert went on planned trips on their tour bus and regular shopping outings. He met and socialized with his new neighbors. In his room, he played his music, played "Pogo" on his computer, and watched television or movies. His family visited him and took him out on occasion. His daughter, Monica, traveled from Colorado as often as she could make it. She would again spoil him, taking him on excursions to the Oregon coast, Columbia River Gorge, some of his favorite restaurants, and shopping. In his second year living at the Royalton, he and everyone else were hit with covid restrictions. Those restrictions made visiting and getting out much more difficult. Herbert then suffered the first of a couple of strokes that debilitated him for a while. Cognitive abilities seemed to decline a bit and then it became apparent the level of care at his assisted living home, due to staff turnover or management changes, also declined. The level of care declined to the point we felt Herbert needed a change and better care.

Two years after moving into the Royalton, we found a wonderful smaller care facility for Herbert. A home with just five residents. Herbert would get more individualized care and the additional assistance that we felt he needed and deserved. The new home featured a room with a small balcony overlooking a yard and garden. Herbert could sit out in the sun and even had a tomato plant of his own, on the balcony. Meals were thoughtfully made from scratch, daily. Herbert’s health and outlook improved. Though slowing considerably, losing a bit of his strength and losing a bit more cognitive ability, Herbert was happy. His new doctor, with help from the caregiver, who was also a registered stroke nurse, reduced his medications significantly. This seemed to help Herbert with some dizziness, digestion problems, and his general health. The local family visited weekly. His daughter, Monica, sometimes with her husband Kim and/or grandson Russell, traveled from Colorado regularly to visit and take him to his favorite places.

A GI tract infection necessitated an emergency trip to the hospital in the second week of January 2024. Herbert was treated for the infection, but it took a heavy toll on his aging body. He had lost weight and considerable strength. It was determined that hospice and comfort care, per his long-professed desires, were appropriate when he returned to his care home. Herbert received exemplary care and comfort treatment from both his home care staff and the Tenderly Hospice Care Team. He was in no known pain and minimal discomfort in his final weeks.

Herbert passed away on Saturday evening March 9, 2024. He passed away peacefully, under Hospice care while sleeping. Even though we now mourn Herbert's death, we are also forever thankful for his presence in our lives. Both his triumphs and his struggles are now finished here on earth. He will now be forever at rest with his beloved Johanna. He will be missed but also certainly live on in our hearts and our memories as a loving and caring father, grandfather, and friend to the many he met.

• Herbert is survived by his daughters, Monica(Kim) Korber of Erie, Colorado and Linda(James) Lind of Gresham, Oregon; Grandsons, Dusty(Grand Junction, Colorado), Brian(Kaiser, Oregon), Brayden(Gresham, Oregon); Granddaughters, Kristin(Wentzville, Missouri), Kortney(Grand Junction, Colorado); seven Great Grandchildren, Kylie, Jameson, Russell, Kurtis, Cami, Johanna, and Manny; Nephew, Reinhard Goldmann(Nettlebeck, Germany); Great Nephew, Thomas Goldmann(Germany) and Great Niece Christiane(Germany).

Special thanks to Mediatrix Care Home staff and the Tenderly Hospice Care team, who cared for and comforted Herbert throughout his last few weeks.

Contributions can be made in Herbert's memory to: Oregon Hospice and Palliative Care Association