Hans Stargardter

Hans Stargardter, 94, passed away on April 3 with his wife Henrietta (Stepner) by his side. Hans was born in Breslau, Germany. In 1938 he immigrated to Guatemala, escaping from the Nazi’s. As a young man, he received a work study scholarship to attend Florida Southern College, where he graduated in 3 years and more importantly met the love of his life on the tennis court. They were married soon after and were positive role models for marriage for the next 70 years. A man with a sharp mind, he was always thinking, and usually the outcome of his deliberations were an out of the box solution, both unexpected and brilliant. As a professional mechanical engineer he arrived at Pratt and Whitney in 1964, where he earned many patents in his field of expertise, turbine blade vibration. Some of his favorite pastimes were tennis, bridge, sailing and skiing. He had a great topspin backhand, a propensity to hike out far in the gunnels, a stickler for the rules, and you could see him on the slopes of Sundown every Christmas morning. Later on in his life he became a wonderful metal sculptor, exhibiting in many galleries throughout Connecticut. Hans will be remembered as a devoted family man and his family felt the tenacity of his devotion. This was provided to anyone in his extended family, and Hans was known as the patriarch of the Stargardter family worldwide. HIs heart and his generosity will be deeply missed. He leaves behind his wife Henrietta, children Herman (wife Eleanor); Ben (wife Ivana), Paul (wife Phyllis); Susan Jaafar and Ann Stargardter; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Services will be private, and the family will sit shiva on Thursday, April 7, between 2-4 pm at their home at 87 Kenmore Road in Bloomfield. A celebration of his life will be held at their cottage in Saybrook later this spring. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the rabbi’s discretionary fund at Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation 54 Bushy Hill Road Simsbury CT 06070. The family wishes to thank Faith Kinback, Danielle Small, Kerry Rauch and Dr. Munish Shastri for the compassionate care they gave to Hans at the end of his life. Contributions: In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the rabbi’s discretionary fund at Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation 54 Bushy Hill Road Simsbury CT 06070. Shiva: Services will be private, and the family will sit shiva on Thursday, April 7, between 2-4 pm at their home at 87 Kenmore Road in Bloomfield. A celebration of his life will be held at their cottage in Saybrook later this spring.