Eugene F.W. Meliezer

Eugene Frederick Wilhelm Meliezer (Teddy) was born in Menado, Indonesia, Sept. 30, 1920, the second son of Eugenie Christina Andes and Hendrik Ernst George Meliezer. Survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Nannie Bailey Meliezer, his daughters and son-in-laws, Christine and James Guillaume, Denham Springs, Ronda and Karl Loetzerich, Houston, grandchildren, Derek and Sara Loetzerich, sister Reina Schraverus, Belgium, and many beloved in-laws, nephews, nieces and their children. Preceded in death by his mother and father, and brothers Leonard, Oscar, George, and Henry. He served in the Royal Dutch Navy with the Allied Forces in WWII from 1940-1945. He survived the sinking of three vessels and lived in a lifeboat for six weeks in German waters. After the war, he worked as a marine engineer in the Netherlands, then Gulf Oil in New York City, and the United Fruit Co. Foreign Flag Division. After meeting Nannie in Mobile, ALA, he married her in Mississippi and later moved to Chalmette, LA. He worked for Kaiser Aluminum and the Aerospace Div. of Boeing in New Orleans. While at Boeing, his team designed the lunar landing craft boosters for the first moon landing. He retired from Avondale Shipyards after 25 years of service, where he enjoyed his work as a mechanical marine design engineer. His numerous projects included the overhaul of the USS Iowa and USS Wisconsin (the last WWII battle ships to be reactivated) and his last project was the Vidalia Hydroelectric station. Born into a colonial system of government, Eugene loved the USA and became a naturalized citizen in 1957. Eugene and Nannie resided in Gretna for over 40 years, and were active in their church and community. During his retirement, Eugene became a Gideon. He loved serving his Lord and Savior. A devout Christian, he was told by God to use his talents wisely, for he would live a long life. He passed away peacefully in his residence in Houston, TX, on Nov 13, 2013, with Nannie at his side. Visitation will be at 10 AM on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Gretna United Methodist Church, 1309 Whitney Ave., Gretna, LA, with a service to follow at 11AM. A private family burial will be held at The Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eugene's memory to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 1395, Gretna, LA 70054. Leitz- Eagan Funeral Home in care of arrangements.