I’d like to share with you a few good memories of my great Dad — Papi Hans. Back in 1966, Dad brought us to this beautiful country Australia, we now call home. I was just a baby then, but I have a few vivid memories of up until I was 4. We lived in Narrabeen by the sea. I remember he had a motorbike or scooter and he used to sit us up on the letterbox by the side of the fence and give my sister and I turns in getting a ‘double’ on the back of the bike around the block. We returned to Germany in 1970 on a ship travelling via amazing countries on the way back. We lived in Hamburg for the next 5 years where dad worked for German television? Dad had a love for cars, old and new. He was fascinated by the mechanics of it all, and loved to ‘tinker’ (as Pamela, his second wife would call it). He was great at fixing things, even when they didn’t need fixing! He also took a liking to motorbikes. I especially remember this when we came back to Australia in 1975 and he bought himself, I think it was a 250cc engine motorbike. Anyhow it got him doubling us again for more rides around the block. He used to take us to Avalon Primary School from our home in North Avalon in turns, one at a time. Then he bought a VW Combi van with a ‘pop-up-top’. Not only could it hold his masses of Camera equipment that accumulated by then but also in which he took us camping to many places up and down the East Coast. He was always thinking versatilty... He showed us a world beyond our doorstep. It was always interesting and we have many adventurous memories. Later when I was old enough to get my ‘drivers licence’ he got me started on a motorbike. It was a Suzuki 125. First thing dad did was take me up to Palm Beach when it used to be a dirt/grass area and gave me his own version of a ‘stay-upright course’. He was also a keen sailor and loved the water. Whether he was in it or on it, it was always good fun. One of his big dreams was to have his own sailing boat. He started off with a catamaran and learnt quickly about changing weather and situations, especially when the southerly busters blew in on Pittwater. One of their first sailing experiences ended up getting stranded on Scotland Island with mum being very stressed out on this occasion. They got stuck in the middle of a big sailing race and they couldn’t move, sailors were yelling at them from all directions to move out of the way. As most of you here today will know him for his amazing pictures, be it moving or still photography that he captured for all to see, he left us inspired about the beauty of what can be achieved with a simple camera. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time. His patience for capturing the right images always paid off. In 1994 he aqcuired one of two Heinkel motorscooters found in a barn. One was partially burnt and the other in a fairly decrepid state. This became one of his great achievements of restoration and with the help of Achim’s amazing capabilites in panel beating, together they achieved the perfect result - The fully restored, back to it’s original form, (concourse finish) Heinkel Motorscooter. He has written a script/book on it’s history which we hope to publish for him one day. On the day of Annalie’s birth on October 4 1998, Christina and Dad were in Wagga Wagga for a wedding on a farm with his famous Corvette. The road was a dirt rubble road and quite rough and bumpy when his tyre suddenly blew out. And he said that I wonder if this is the sign, the waters breaking and a new life has come into the world. Shortly after that they received the call from Achim and me that Annalie was born. He got the name ‘Papi Hans’ because he didn’t really like the name Grand dad, or Opa. And it wasn’t until I called him ‘Papi’ (German for dad) and said to Annalie, this is Hans, that she put the two together and came up with ‘Papi Hans’ as we know him today. Another great memory he has left with us, is the fantastic time we were fortunate enough to share together with him, was our trip to Queensland with our destination being ‘Lady Elliot Island’ on the Great Barrier Reef. Over 2 years ago already...we travelled through some amazing places, travelling mostly our own road but always meeting up together at the end of the day to stay the night somewhere. With his GPS ‘gadget’ on the dash (he was known to have a lot of gadgets in his life), we were guaranteed it would take us directly to our days destination. Only one time did we do a wrong turn, ending up in a small residential area which didn’t meet the description at all. May be we were ‘out of range’, or even lost? We laughed it off and went on our way. This was the most amazing trip especially for Annalie & Mica who took some time off school to see a part of Australia they hadn’t seen before. They were lucky to have this special time with their ‘Papi Hans’, revisiting for their second time back to Lady Elliot Island. Only this time they were jumping with excitement to show him around. The Fish Pool was one of the most memorable, where the kids could go snorkelling safely and get up close to life on the reef. Our near midnight walk to see Turtles hatching was truly amazing. The colours of the reef and the magic of being there will remain in our hearts forever. Like all good things, the holiday had to come to an end. Fortunately for me, the memories are like it was all just yesterday. Unfortunately there’s not enough paper and time here ‘today’ to tell you all about him. But each one of us here knows him the way he has touched our hearts in that special way, leaving us feeling inspired and worthy. Dad, Papi Hans, was a kind, gentle natured, family man who always supported his family. He never took sides but always listened to both. He had an open heart and an open mind. Always embracing us with open arms. His words of wisdom are “My door is always open”. I will miss your wisdom And your addictive sense of humour. You have left us great memories and left your footprint on every corner of the world. He wasn’t just my father, he wasn’t just my mentor, He was my friend, He was everyone’s friend. Susanne
I’d like to share with you a few good memories of my great Dad — Papi Hans. Back in 1966, Dad brought us to this beautiful country Australia, we now call home. I was just a baby then, but I have a few vivid memories of up until I was 4. We lived in Narrabeen by the sea. I remember he had a motorbike or scooter and he used to sit us up on the letterbox by the side of the fence and give my sister and I turns in getting a ‘double’ on the back of the bike around the block. We returned to Germany in 1970 on a ship travelling via amazing countries on the way back. We lived in Hamburg for the next 5 years where dad worked for German television? Dad had a love for cars, old and new. He was fascinated by the mechanics of it all, and loved to ‘tinker’ (as Pamela, his second wife would call it). He was great at fixing things, even when they didn’t need fixing! He also took a liking to motorbikes. I especially remember this when we came back to Australia in 1975 and he bought himself, I think it was a 250cc engine motorbike. Anyhow it got him doubling us again for more rides around the block. He used to take us to Avalon Primary School from our home in North Avalon in turns, one at a time. Then he bought a VW Combi van with a ‘pop-up-top’. Not only could it hold his masses of Camera equipment that accumulated by then but also in which he took us camping to many places up and down the East Coast. He was always thinking versatilty... He showed us a world beyond our doorstep. It was always interesting and we have many adventurous memories. Later when I was old enough to get my ‘drivers licence’ he got me started on a motorbike. It was a Suzuki 125. First thing dad did was take me up to Palm Beach when it used to be a dirt/grass area and gave me his own version of a ‘stay-upright course’. He was also a keen sailor and loved the water. Whether he was in it or on it, it was always good fun. One of his big dreams was to have his own sailing boat. He started off with a catamaran and learnt quickly about changing weather and situations, especially when the southerly busters blew in on Pittwater. One of their first sailing experiences ended up getting stranded on Scotland Island with mum being very stressed out on this occasion. They got stuck in the middle of a big sailing race and they couldn’t move, sailors were yelling at them from all directions to move out of the way. As most of you here today will know him for his amazing pictures, be it moving or still photography that he captured for all to see, he left us inspired about the beauty of what can be achieved with a simple camera. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time. His patience for capturing the right images always paid off. In 1994 he aqcuired one of two Heinkel motorscooters found in a barn. One was partially burnt and the other in a fairly decrepid state. This became one of his great achievements of restoration and with the help of Achim’s amazing capabilites in panel beating, together they achieved the perfect result - The fully restored, back to it’s original form, (concourse finish) Heinkel Motorscooter. He has written a script/book on it’s history which we hope to publish for him one day. On the day of Annalie’s birth on October 4 1998, Christina and Dad were in Wagga Wagga for a wedding on a farm with his famous Corvette. The road was a dirt rubble road and quite rough and bumpy when his tyre suddenly blew out. And he said that I wonder if this is the sign, the waters breaking and a new life has come into the world. Shortly after that they received the call from Achim and me that Annalie was born. He got the name ‘Papi Hans’ because he didn’t really like the name Grand dad, or Opa. And it wasn’t until I called him ‘Papi’ (German for dad) and said to Annalie, this is Hans, that she put the two together and came up with ‘Papi Hans’ as we know him today. Another great memory he has left with us, is the fantastic time we were fortunate enough to share together with him, was our trip to Queensland with our destination being ‘Lady Elliot Island’ on the Great Barrier Reef. Over 2 years ago already...we travelled through some amazing places, travelling mostly our own road but always meeting up together at the end of the day to stay the night somewhere. With his GPS ‘gadget’ on the dash (he was known to have a lot of gadgets in his life), we were guaranteed it would take us directly to our days destination. Only one time did we do a wrong turn, ending up in a small residential area which didn’t meet the description at all. May be we were ‘out of range’, or even lost? We laughed it off and went on our way. This was the most amazing trip especially for Annalie & Mica who took some time off school to see a part of Australia they hadn’t seen before. They were lucky to have this special time with their ‘Papi Hans’, revisiting for their second time back to Lady Elliot Island. Only this time they were jumping with excitement to show him around. The Fish Pool was one of the most memorable, where the kids could go snorkelling safely and get up close to life on the reef. Our near midnight walk to see Turtles hatching was truly amazing. The colours of the reef and the magic of being there will remain in our hearts forever. Like all good things, the holiday had to come to an end. Fortunately for me, the memories are like it was all just yesterday. Unfortunately there’s not enough paper and time here ‘today’ to tell you all about him. But each one of us here knows him the way he has touched our hearts in that special way, leaving us feeling inspired and worthy. Dad, Papi Hans, was a kind, gentle natured, family man who always supported his family. He never took sides but always listened to both. He had an open heart and an open mind. Always embracing us with open arms. His words of wisdom are “My door is always open”. I will miss your wisdom And your addictive sense of humour. You have left us great memories and left your footprint on every corner of the world. He wasn’t just my father, he wasn’t just my mentor, He was my friend, He was everyone’s friend. Susanne