Horst W. Schwermer

April 29, 1915 – November 6, 2011

As brilliant Indian summer faded away, and winter snows roared in, our precious husband, father, grandfather, and Opa set his affairs in order and gently slipped away. He was born in Koenigsberg, Prussia, Germany to Hermann Schwermer and Julia Friederike Koehn. In childhood, he loved wholesome, idyllic days spent at his grandmother’s farm, sipping fresh milk and savoring the cream on top. He found what was for him the spiritual equivalent of sweet cream when he discovered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and joined at the young age of 10. His faith anchored him and helped him endure events leading up to World War II, and gave him the fortitude to resist joining the Nazi Party despite coercion, threats and violence toward him and his dear mother. In an act of great optimism and confidence in the future, he married the love of his life, Helga Giesela Abel, August 30, 1941 in Berlin, Germany. The wedding celebration was interrupted as bombs rained down and the newlyweds and guests sought the safety of a bomb shelter.

He learned the joyous news of the birth of his son Juergen Horst August 26, 1943 via armed services radio. Once again, bombs rained down as sweet Helga gave birth. Both a prisoner of war and an amputee weighing just 96 pounds, Horst was freed by a sympathetic Russian doctor and he hobbled, hitchhiked and road any form of ground transportation back to Berlin and to his little family. Miraculously, they were reunited and healing began.

Due to his objections to the war and his leadership qualities, Horst was selected to implement the Marshall Plan following WWII for the British sector of Berlin. He traveled to England to be schooled in democratic governance and had the privilege of meeting Winston Churchill. He played an integral role in helping to restore order and humanity to a war-ravaged people and city. But his faith always directed his actions. So in 1953, when he received approval to immigrate to the United States and Salt Lake City, he did not hesitate. He and Helga began anew, picking onions and apples in Payson, Utah, and doing any work they could find until they became more proficient in English and could pursue professional careers. An accountant by training, Horst became the Chief Accountant for the Utah State Office of Education, which he led with integrity and skill until his retirement in 1981. He also welcomed daughter-in-law, Patricia Johnson, and a precious grandson, Richard Horst Schwermer, to the family. Although he was greatly saddened when Patricia and Juergen later divorced, he was able to take great appreciation and pleasure in meeting Juergen’s second wife, Susan Datesman, whom he loves very much.

Following retirement, Horst dedicated his great mind and great talent to studying history, civilizations throughout the ages, and most of all religion. He was a true scholar and a person of unshakeable faith. He was the steadfast center of our family and welcomed Richard’s wife, Susan Sheehan, with open, generous arms. To his great delight, he was able to also welcome great-grandchildren Joshua William and Alyson Jane in 1990 and 1994 respectively. He derived great pleasure in cuddling, reading books, and teaching them brilliant strategies required to play champion chess and Monopoly.

He and Helga celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this August and Horst began to slowly leave us. His tired body could go on no more. Throughout his extraordinary life, Horst seemed to always follow William Shakespeare’s words, “to thine own self be true.” Horst, Grandpa, Opa, “good night sweet prince.” We love you.

Funeral services to be held Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the Grandeur Peak LDS Ward Chapel, 3640 East 3510 South, SLC at 1:00pm with a viewing Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 pm at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, and a viewing one hour prior to services at the church.