Irmgard Schildroth

Irmgard Escher Schildroth, age 98, died March 27, 2018. She was born March 19, 1920 in Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany, where she was educated and worked in Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany, where she was educated and worked in Berlin Oranienburg at the Auer plant until it was destroyed by bombs in March 1945. She returned to Limbach-Oberfrohna at that time and remained there to the end of the war, witnessing the American advance and temporary occupation. However, when this territory was turned over to the Russians she decided a communist government was not for her and she took the dangerous crossing to West Germany.

Since she was accomplished at speaking English, she worked as a secretary/translator at several American military bases in West Germany from 1945-1951. It was there that she met George Schildroth, an American radar engineer, whom she married in August 1950 in Erding, Germany.

Irmgard never forgot her family in East Germany. She and her late sister, who also dared the crossing, supplied their parents and two brothers with extra food and other necessities until after the berlin Wall came down.

In 1951, Irmgard and George moved to the United States to begin George’s civil career in radar and later in aerospace electronics. His work took the Schildroths to many states and faraway places. Irmgard became an American citizen in 1956.

The Schildroths became interested in sailing and Irmgard was to represent “Flying Scot Sailboats” in New Hampshire and later in North Carolina. She also wrote articles for publication in sailing magazines.

George retired in 1979 when the Schildroths moved their residence to Mooresville, NC because of beautiful Lake Norman! They continued their interest in sailing and joined “Lake Norman Yacht Club”. For winter activities they took up ballroom dancing.

George passed away in 1998 and in 2002 Irmgard relocated her residence to south Charlotte after leaving a retirement community they had lived in for the past several years. She was 82 years old at that time and felt too young to live the “retired life”.

She continued ballroom dancing, entering competitions where she received many first places with her teacher-partner! Irmgard also performed in numerous showcases, the last of which played at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and she was 89 years old at that time. But there was one more beautiful waltz she wanted to do and that she did with one of her teachers at a studio party on her 90th birthday!

In addition to many cherished friends, Irmgard is survived by her nephews, Jurgen Escher and wife Adele; Richard Escher and wife Shari; Curt Escher and wife Kristin and all their many children and Grand Children.

Irmgard was a former member of Incarnation Lutheran Church of Charlotte