On the evening of May 26th, 2021, Hans-Erwin Ernst August Frölke, found his way back to his Heavenly Father, his family, friends and his Schatz (Ruth Schimming Frölke). Born on April 1st or 2nd, 1927 (depending on who is telling the story) in Dortmund, Westfalen, Prussia - Germany, to August Heinrich Erwin Frölke and Elisabeth Karoline Proll. Hans was a middle child and only son amongst two sisters, Bernhardine Wilhelmine “Ruth” Frölke Volk and “Anneliese” Regine Dorothea Frölke Ernst. The immense love Hans had for his little sister, Anneliese, was evident at her birth and throughout their lives, and was only rivaled by the love he had for his own family and especially his Schatz – Ruth.
During the time of Hans’ youth, Hitler was in power and the German people experienced many changes in their lives. Youth groups were very common and Hans joined when he was 6 years old but was later told that he would need to rejoin when he was 10 years old. His days in school consisted of learning Mathematics, German, English, Latin and he dreamed of one day being able to take care of animals, plants and trees, etc… – to become a Forester. His days with the Youth group were filled with singing, marching, and trips to youth hotels, sports and great comradery. Politics were never discussed and were not the reason for the youth groups – learning to work with your hands and as a group was the main goal. The war started when Hans was 12 years old and his home town, Dortmund, felt the effects a year later. Dortmund became a shamble during the war and the city was destroyed by at least 95%. At 16 years old, with two of his homes already destroyed by the war, Hans was drafted as an air force helper. Hans in his memories recounts that he was always the last in line for roll call as he was the shortest person in his group at 5’8”. The war raged on for years and Hans was blessed to avert many situations that could have been either fatal to himself or his family and he always felt blessed by his guardian angels.
After the war, Hans went to work on securing a career at his father’s factory thru an apprenticeship and Dortmund’s Engineering College. During those years that followed, Hans enjoyed new friendships, was active in the Latter Days Saints religion as a teacher, bicycle tours, Church conferences and meeting the love of his life – Ruth Schimming.
Engaged on February 14th, 1953 they married on August 8th, 1953 in Dortmund, Germany. Sealed in the Swiss temple in 1957.
Traveling around on Hans’ motorcycle and living with his parents was the start of their marriage. Shortly thereafter an apartment became available for them to move into – there was a housing shortage after the war so they were fortunate to secure a place of their own. The years went by and after two children came into their lives (Wolfram and Gabriela); emigration became a topic of discussion. Canada was their first choice but then it was discovered that they were expecting their third child (Birgitt) so the plans were put on hold. A year later, it was decided to immigrate to the United States where Anneliese (Hans’ younger sister and husband lived). A trip across the ocean on the ocean liner Arcadia was booked in 1959. Arriving in New York, relatives from Hans’s mother’s side (Tante Änne, Onkel Theo, Tante Grete and Onkel Karl) greeted them, showed them New York and the family continued on their way to Utah. Hans, Ruth and three children in tow made it to Salt Lake City.
Hans’ first job was for the State Road Commission. Having designed the bridge over the Jordan River on 48th South during that time, Hans met Brother Tschaggeny who co-owned the company -Metals Manufacturing. He offered him a great job opportunity which gave Hans the good-fortune to be a part of projects like laying out the stairs in the student housing at BYU University, Zions Bank on the corner of South Temple and Main Street required specific stairs for their building out of stainless steel and the Eagle Gate needed a new structure to be placed on after the streets were widened. His career had finally taken off – he was involved in so many amazing projects. Ruth became home sick and discouraged with her new home in America after watching discrimination against foreigners, the ugliness of untended homes and the name calling for being German, to the point where it was just too much for her. She longed for her home and her culture.
1962 found the family heading back to Germany on the ocean liner S.S. America. Dortmund was welcoming and the family settled back into daily life. Hans became the first counselor for the South-Dortmund branch of the LDS church an honor he enjoyed and secured a job. Wolfram developed breathing problems that eventually had the family going back to the United States.
1963 on the ocean liner Rotterdam back to America. Hans took a position with Kaiser Engineers who had a contract out at Kennecott. The German Engineering schooling was challenged many times as the degrees vary from country to country and Hans found that nothing was going to come his way very easy. However, Hans proved over and over again his knowledge and ingenuity to the amazement of his employers and colleagues. His jobs were precise and his calculations always spot on. Hans was asked many times to solve problems that others with American degrees could not resolve.
Eimco was the final stop in his working career which spanned the next 30 years. Hans traveled to many job sites – Mexico, Taiwan, and Minnesota, Georgia as well as Nevada and a few other places along the way. His accomplishments were many yet not always recognized as they should have or could have been. As Hans would say, “I was always true to myself and not everyone could understand or accept that”. Being German in America was not easy yet it never stopped Hans from achieving beyond others expectations.
Over the years, two children joined the family (Olav and Monika), completing the family for Hans and Ruth. Hans created and orchestrated a Kinder Choir that sang in German. The group had the honor of singing in the capital for the Governor at one time and performed at various occasions. As the years went by, it became harder to keep a consistent group of interested children together and traveling to practices was not quite as convenient as it is today, so eventually the group was dissolved.
Building a home from the ground up and with only the knowledge acquired through studying and learning from books about electrical, heating, plumbing etc.., Hans and Ruth took on the next challenge of their lives as they decided to build a home in Summit Park. The Summit Park home saw dreams and failures, happiness and sadness, achievements and disappointments. But, the belief that everything and anything is possible if you keep working at it and never giving up – came through without fail. Hans always believed that if there was a man before him that could achieve a certain goal, that he too could achieve it and sometimes improve upon that task or goal. He always believed in saying “I can and will” rather than ever accepting defeat and giving up.
Summit Park and the harsh winters led to many other home adventures which Hans and Ruth tackled together over the years.
Close to his retirement years, Owl Transport became a business that he created with his sons, Olav and Wolfram, along with Ruth. Unfortunately, the times saw gas prices soaring and many small trucking businesses folding during those years. Hans dealt with the hardship of losing the trucking business with dignity and continued pride in his family and his wife, Ruth.
After moving to St. George life slowed down a bit. A historical trip to Germany with Ruth and fellow researchers in search of information on Heinrich Hoffman was just what was needed. Ruth was the genealogist and Hans did what he enjoyed so very much – he took pictures! He was also very versed on translation before and during this time which aided in the research and documentation during this trip.
Later years found health issues coming Hans’ way and after triple bypass heart surgery it was decided to move Hans and Ruth back to Salt Lake where the rest of the family was residing. Uintah, Utah was a peaceful place for Hans and Ruth and his office was his domain. He enjoyed reading, studying, watching a movie or listening to his German music. He accepted and embraced all the challenges that came his way. His strokes, walking and speech challenges were met with his “need to and can do attitude”. Life threw Hans his biggest heartache when he learned that Ruth had metastasized lung cancer and she passed away on December 21, 2020. His belief that they would be together again comforted him yet left him heart broken and ready to join her. Ruth’s ashes were released in the ocean in California on her birthday May 5th, 2021 per her wishes. Hans suffered another mild stroke following the event and his walking and speech were affected again. He was always determined to do what he could do and what he needed to do and made every effort to contribute to his care. On Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 in the afternoon, Hans fell in his office. When asked why he was getting up by himself…the answer was – “Mama (Ruth) was calling him”. “She needed help making Knödel (dumplings) in the kitchen”. He was very adamant on why he needed to get to her and why he didn’t take the standard precautions of informing one of us, that he wanted to get up. All of us that know the love that Hans had for Ruth understand. He would have done anything at any time for her! Hans was moved to his recliner and rested for some hours. We suspected that he had broken his only sturdy leg during the fall. When he awoke a few hours later– he was joyful and excited. His words were – “why is this taking so long – everyone is up there waiting for me”. That statement was said over the next couple of days a few more times as Hans slept and occasionally woke for a short period of time. Hans was on hospice following the California trip due to the stroke and his physician – Dr. Hemmersmeier was very in tune with what he thought was going to be the outcome of this fall and the broken leg.
Hans passed on the evening of May 26th, 2021 at 7:30pm at home in Uintah, Utah. The morning found us all looking for the lunar eclipse and the evening found us saying good-bye (Auf Wiedersehen) to a kind, caring, loving and accomplished man who we called Papa, Opa, or Grosspapa.
Hans’ 94years of life was full of so many adventures, stories to be told, achievements to be admired, struggles and accomplishments that have not been written about in this tribute. He was a gentle giant in our minds, who spoke little yet laughed with hardiness and lived his life with just a “bit” of German stubbornness…
One can say with certainty that the reunion he had with his Heavenly Father, his family that has gone before him, with his Schatz – Ruth, could not have been anything short of spectacular and joyous.
One of the last things he did was sing “Mein Vater war ein Wanders Mann” and when I (Gabriela) sang the chorus on the second verse to fast….he let me know by saying “that was too fast at the end” and we laughed!
Although our father graced this earth for 94 years…I would like to say to him - “that was also – much too fast”
Be happy Papa…hugs and love to you and Mama. Big hello’s to all…God Bless! Until we meet again…
Auf Wiedersehen… We miss you dearly!
Graveside memorial service scheduled for 06/19/2021 at 10:00am
Wasatch Memorial Park - 3401 Highland Drive - Salt Lake City, Utah
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