Hans Norbert Spear

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Tucson, Arizona

Hans Spear Obituary

SPEAR, Hans Norbert, 90, of Tucson, died April 15, 2009. Born in Germany, December 2, 1918 and came to this country in 1938. He has lived in Tucson for the past 16 years and was a former resident of Chicago, IL. Hans married his childhood sweet heart, Beatrice, in New York in 1939. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. He trained in Camp Ritchie, located in the state of Maryland and served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Core and was stationed in Germany where he fought the German Army. He was featured in the 2004 documentary film, The Ritchie Boys. He received four Battle Stars and in 2008 was awarded the Bronze Star Medal 63 years after he was originally denied it due to religious reasons. In addition, he received many other military honors from other European countries. While residing in Chicago, he was co-owner of the All American Decorating Services for 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Beatrice Spear (Blum); daughters, Barbra (Steven) Helfgot and Judy Voigt; grandchildren, Jeremy Helfgot (Barbra Schwartz) and Adam (Abby) Helfgot. Service will be Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., EVERGREEN MORTUARY CHAPEL, N. Oracle & W. Miracle Mile, with Rabbi Robert Eisen and Cantor Ivor Lichterman officiating. Interment will follow in the B'nai Brith section of Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. 5th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY 520-888-7470.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Apr. 17, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Hans Spear

12 Entries

Gary Kipnis

April 12, 2010

I can not believe it has been a year since Hans' passing. I miss his friendship and his fantastic sense of humor. Hans knew how to put a smile on my day!

Mark & Sara Mayer

May 10, 2009

Dear Bea,
We just found out today of Hans's passing. We are so sorry and extend our condolences to you and to Barbara and Judy.
We are very sorry that we lost touch with you for so many years.

David Finke

April 26, 2009

Dear Bea,Barb,Judy and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear of Hans's passing.I can recall the many family gatherings we spent together and the numerous times my Dad took me to the All-American office on Devon Avenue.From my family to yours we extend our condolences.From David Finke,the son of John and Alice Fink.

April 23, 2009

Dear Bea,

Liz and I were so very sorry when we heard of Hans' passing, we had to sit down to get over our initial shock. We talked about the good times we had with you in Tucson and Chicago, especially talking about work and some of Hans' customers. I worked for Hans from 1963 until his retirement and then I stayed at All American until 1997, so I remember many customers. Hans was always a good and fair boss and, if I may say, also a good friend.

Liz and I hope to stay in touch with you and we'll think of you often. Our sympathy to you and your family, also from our daughter, Patty, and son, Steve, and their families, who know about you and Hans from the stories we shared with them.

Love and Prayers,
Liz and Steve Kueller

P.S. A contribution is being sent in Hans' memory to Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson, AZ.

Samy Hammad

April 22, 2009

Dear Mrs. Spear,

My Deepest Sympathy to you and your family.
I had the privilege of knowing Hans when he lived in Chicago. He was a great man and a great artist and a good businessman.
He will be deeply missed by all.

Jeff Peterson, D.C.

April 20, 2009

Dearest Bea,

I was shocked and saddened to hear the news. Hans was always such a delight when he came to see us. He made us laugh with his jokes, taught us history, and enlightened us with stories of his past. I feel honored and humbled to have know him all these years. I will always be grateful for his trust, allowing me to care for his back and health over the past ten years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.

Dr. Jeff Peterson and Cheryl Williams

Isaac Greenberg

April 19, 2009

Bea,

I want to send my condolences from the bottom of my heart. Hans was an amazing man who emulated a true Jewish American Hero. It was a true honor knowing Hans and spending quality time with him in your living room talking about war stories. The medals, weapons, pictures, articles and other materials gathered by him speak volumes of his courage and dedication to America. I have often thought of Hans throughout this deployment in Afghanistan; Hans has been with me as I collected items in which I want to gather for my scrapbook. I cherished the times we spent together discussing intelligence during WWII and Operation Enduring Freedom. I will always remember his stories about the Ritchie Boys and discovering one of the secret children homes of the German “Lebensborn,” the Nazis breeding place for the next generation of the Arian race. When I think of Jewish War Veterans, Hans is the face I visualize. I am so happy he received his Bronze Star because he was definately deserving of the award. He sets the standard in which I want to follow as a young Jewish veteran. He taught me so many things about the importance of being a Jewish soldier; that we must share our stories and keep a book for memories. Hans always had nice things to say to me every time I saw him in synagogue. You two always looked happy together and I am glad that you were able to share a long life together. I appreciate the memories with you and I would like to see you when get back to Tucson so I can share my scrapbook with you. In memory of Hans I want to donate $180 to the Jewish War Veterans to honor his love of life, Military service, Judaism, integrity and love for you.
Very Respectfully,
Isaac A. Greenberg

CPT Isaac Greenberg

April 19, 2009

Bea,

I want to send my condolences from the bottom of my heart. Hans was an amazing man who emulated a true Jewish American Hero. It was a true honor knowing Hans and spending quality time with him in your living room talking about war stories. The medals, weapons, pictures, articles and other materials gathered by him speak volumes of his courage and dedication to America. I have often thought of Hans throughout this deployment in Afghanistan; Hans has been on my mind as I collected items I want to gather for my scrapbook. I cherished the times we spent together discussing intelligence during WWII and Operation Enduring Freedom. I will always remember his stories about the Ritchie Boys and discovering one of the secret children homes of the German “Lebensborn,” the Nazis breeding place for the next generation of the Arian race. When I think of Jewish War Veterans, Hans is the face I visualize. I am so happy he received his Bronze Star because he was definately deserving of the award. He sets the standard in which I want to follow as a young Jewish veteran. He taught me so many things about the importance of being a Jewish soldier; that we must share our stories and keep a book for memories. Hans always had nice things to say to me every time I saw him in synagogue. You two always looked happy together and I am glad that you were able to share a long life together. I appreciate the memories with you and I would like to see you when I get back to Tucson so I can share my scrapbook with you. In memory of Hans I want to donate $180 to the Jewish War Veterans to honor his love of life, Military service, Judaism, integrity and love for you.
Very Respectfully,
Isaac A. Greenberg

Jennifer Spier-Stern

April 18, 2009

Dear Family Spear,
My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Although we are distant family and we have never met, I have been connected to you through family research.
Sincere condolences, Jennifer Spier

Greenberg Family

April 17, 2009

Dear Bea and family-
Our heartfelt condolences to you as the Dearly Beloved of our friend Hans . . .

We are numb!
. . . Alayne stumbled across the mention of Hans Spear in a list titled Deaths from AZStarNet on the internet for the American Heart Association . . . thinking "Could there be another Hans N. Spear?". . .“What is this about?” . . . ."This can't be! We just saw the two of you in shul!". . . quickly she looked up the obituary column and confirmed Hans had died on Wednesday.

Hans meant more than a fellow congregant at shul or just another community figure. Isaac and Alayne's visit to your home when Isaac was last in Tucson before deploying for Afghanistan was long with Han's stories, stories and more stories . . . it was wonderful sharing the afternoon with both of you!
.....From Soldier to Soldier, Hans charged Isaac with his becoming Captain Isaac Greenberg to "Take the Torch" and Pass along the Legacy of Tikkun Olam.

By far, we didn’t know Hans as well as you
AND already we are feeling a HUGE emptiness!
Indeed Hans lived a full life
BUT
It’s all feeling cut too short!

WOW!
It's like feeling the wind has been knocked out of us!

May your fondest memories give you strength as the Almighty shows his love and compassion for you in these most difficult times...
...May you go from Strength to Strength!
..............from Bracha to Bracha!
..............L'Dor v'Dor!

In Sorrow and With Much Love!
Alayne & Bruce
Aaron & Jenn, Tzadik, Benjamin & Jodie, Isaac & Anna

Martin Rubio

April 17, 2009

I had the privilege and honor to have been the cameraman who videotaped Hans for Arizona Public Media's "Tucson Remembers...", and I just want to express my condolences to his family. We truly enjoyed his company and his stories.
- Martin Rubio
AZPM

Gary & Karen Kipnis

April 17, 2009

Dear Bea and the Spear Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to you in the loss of Hans.
Hans will be fondly missed. He had an incredible sense of humor, a gift of gab, an uncanny ability to speak and entertain in public, and led a fascinating life. Hans was a very modest but true real life hero. He was an important active board member and most famous & cherished Sahuaro Lodge Chaplain of the B'nai B'rith in Arizona. And his detailed descriptions of his experiences during World War II were always interesting... his unbelievable collection of arm bands that he acquired from the Nazi SS Officers he personally captured and interrogated during the war... he joked that he got them at Macy's Department Store. When he was receiving his Bronze Star Medal, 63 years late, he called to remind me that it was a formal occasion, and I should remember to wear my ears!
Our good friend Hans will always be missed.

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