Hans Koob

Hans Koob was born October 24, 1953 in Marburg, Germany. He was the fifth child of Rudolf Georg Koob and Ursula (Enzeroth) Koob. At that time, Germany was still recovering from the war and times were not easy. There was a large extended family, especially his god-parents Tante Else and Uncle Hans, to help out. Hans spent a bit of time living with his god-parents and cousin, Peter. He often spoke of the family spending time walking down to the Lahn River for play and daily needs.

Hans and his older siblings came to the United States on April 11, 1964 to live with papa and step mother Charlotte. They landed in Chicago and drove to Memphis to live. He did fine on the flight, but the road trip to Memphis was his first car ride and introduced him to the world of “motion sickness”.

The family lived in Memphis while remodeling a home for them in Ripley, TN. Hans has memories a rope being tied from his waist to the chimney, while helping his father work on the roof. The boys spent many hours working next to papa in the woodworking and cabinet shop while growing up. As a result Hans was able to fix anything you brought to him. After high school Hans worked in Ripley’s local factories for American Greeting cards and S&R chrome plating. At age 22, his brother Karl recruited him into the Marines. Hans spent 4 years active duty in the Marine Corps. He was proud of his service. He earned the rank of sergeant in 2 ½ years. He earned Expert badges in the rifle and pistol each time he qualified. He was a tank commander and also a classroom instructor for tank strategy.

While in the Marine Corps and stationed at Camp Pendleton, Hans met Jackie at the wedding rehearsal dinner of a mutual friend. That was November 14, 1975. They had their first date two weeks later. They got engaged January 25 and married June 5, 1976. Hans and Jackie have two sons, Gerrit (31) and Kevin (28). After the Marine Corps, Hans was mentored by Alv Gritters in becoming a backhoe operator. He spent decades operating heavy equipment, mainly backhoes. Hans had such an expert eye, that he could determine if an area was level, even without a scope. In Hans’ spare time he was the family and neighborhood fix-it man. Whether it was home repairs or automotive, it seemed he could repair it all. He also “invented” gadgets and toys. One item was a retracting clothes rod to hang clothes on right out of the dryer. He took items lying around the house to make it for Jackie and then the neighbor ladies asked for one.

While the boys were growing up he made them things like “zip lines” between the trees in the back yard for swinging on. He spent many hours playing street hockey with them at home and at church. When he became disabled and no longer able to operate a backhoe, he took over maintenance and repairs of the preschool owned by Jackie’s parents. The children loved him and he loved all the kids. His lifelong skills of being able to fix anything were invaluable. After he was wheelchair bound, he designed hitches and tow bars so that he could haul heavy loads around the yard behind his electric wheelchair. Hans built a “connection” that allowed an electric chair pull a manual wheelchair. He loved giving little kids “train rides” in the back chair.

For the last number of years Hans had a passion for CB radios. He is well known in the CB operators circle for his 80 foot tall telescoping antenna and high flying American and Marine Corps flags. He’s had conversations with other CB’ers from Australia to Alaska when the skip in the atmosphere was just right. He always had at least two radios going. He was known to “freeze up” Jackie’s computer when he would turn on his booster beam.

Hans came to know the Lord as an adult. He especially spent time in the Word and was committed to learning after being introduced to Promise Keepers. Though he could not attend as often as he wanted, he loved participating in Bible studies.

Hans went home to the Lord on January 13, 2014. He is survived by his wife Jacalyn, sons Gerrit Daniel and Kevin Rudolf, siblings Rolf (Goldi), Margret, Erika, Karl-Heinz, Angelika, Annemarie, Martina, Andrea, Ute, and Petra. He is preceded in death by his brother Richard.

Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary ~FD1030, Westminster, CA.