While reading my Deseret News newspaper this evening, I was saddened to read that my friend and colleague of many years, Horst Reschke, has passed away. Horst was an expert in Germanic genealogy research and wrote a column for Heritage Quest Magazine for quite a number of years. Horst was recommended to me by the late Walter Hilbig, also a Germanic specialist, who wanted to retire from writing our German column, and was sure that Horst would do a great job. And he did. His column was most likely the most popular portion of Heritage Quest Magazine for well over a decade. Horst wrote a number of articles for the Genealogical Helper in 2006 and 2007, but his advancing Parkinson’s disease made it very difficult for him. Horst was an inspiration for me, and I was always amazed at his dedication to German family history, even while fighting his battle with the disease which eventually took his life. I will miss him, as will many others.
Following is a copy of the obituary from the Deseret News.
Horst A. Reschke 1930 ~ 2011 Horst Adalbert Rolf Reschke was born in Hannover, Germany, to Max and Wilhelmine Hauschke Reschke on November 18, 1930. He passed away July 16, 2011, after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease. At age 21 he immigrated to the United States, where he met his wife, Tove Knudsen of Odense, Denmark, in the celestial room of the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for nearly 57 years. They are parents of eight, six boys followed by two girls.
His career included nearly 20 years working for the Newspaper Agency Corp.; director of public relations at the International Typographical Union’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, and co-owner of Hopi-Kiva Indian Arts Center.
His Church service included a life of missionary work; an influential role in founding German language translation for LDS general conference; service in various bishoprics, as a high councilor, as a family history consultant, and as a temple worker. While bishop of the Academy Ward in Colorado Springs, he was instrumental in making it possible for LDS cadets at the Air Force Academy to interrupt their schooling to serve missions.
An expert in German and Jewish genealogical research, Horst was the author of numerous writings and publications, was the contributing editor to the Heritage Quest genealogical magazine, and was also an accomplished lecturer.
He is survived by his wife, Tove; children Boyd (Linda), John (Rebecca), David (Lorrie), Philip (Pam), Michael (Gayle), Stephen (Beverly), Linda (Marty) Utley, and Teresa (Gary) Pugmire; 41 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and sib-lings, Annegret Rudolph and Klaus (Ellen) Golombek.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Parkway Ward, 1208 W. 12400 S., Riverton. Viewings will be held Monday, July 18, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. at the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, and on Tuesday, July 19, at the church 90 minutes prior to funeral services. Online condolences at www.mcdougalfuneralhomes.com
The above obituary was published in the July 19, 2011 Edition of the Deseret News, Page B7 – Local News.
Dear Leland,
Sorry to read about Horst. I corresponded with him several time a few years ago and he was very nice to me. It was obvious that he was a real expert in his field.
Tom