Heidi B. Rapp

Rapp Heidi B. Rapp, of Columbus, OH, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2015 in in Grenoble, France due to heart failure. Heidi and her husband Bob had been spending a two-week Christmas visit with their daughter Kathy Raynaud in nearby Voiron, France. Heidi spent 23 days in the Grenoble hospital after a cardiac attack on Christmas morning. Her husband, two daughters, a son, a son-in-law and several grandchildren were able to comfort her every day throughout her stay in the French hospital. Heidi was born on November 13, 1930 in Allenstein, East Prussia, Germany to forest-master Hans and Dorelise Sartorius. Heidi was the eldest of five children and is survived from her German family by a brother, world-famous artist Malte Sartorius and wife, Liesel, and a sister, master-bridge-player Dagmar Zschintzsch. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Peter and sister Karin. Heidi is also survived by her husband of 54 years Bob in Columbus, OH, and their four children, Kathleen Raynaud with husband, Guy of Voiron France, Thomas Rapp with wife, Rachael of Lafayette/Boulder, CO, twin son, Stephen with wife, Beth of Houston TX, and twin daughter, Stephanie Surface with husband, Mike of Fenton, MI. In addition, 11 grandchildren of ages ranging from 4 to 30 are spread around the USA and elsewhere in the world. Prior to and during most of WWII, Heidi grew up modestly in a rural setting surrounded by a huge forest, with farm animals and 4 dogs, even a pet elk. Heidi was always loving and caring of animals, especially dogs, and particularly English Cocker Spaniels. During WWII in Germany, Heidi experienced a few life-threatening experiences. Fortunately, in front of the Russian advance, she and her family were able to catch the "last train" from East Prussia to West Germany, where they survived the post-war hunger years at the crowded home of their grandfather, a Lutheran Pastor, in Goettingen (a famous University town). Although, she did not advertise the fact, Heidi was a 13th generation granddaughter of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. After achieving her Abiture in Goettingen, Heidi studied languages, mastering English and French for a career as an interpreter/translator. With this background, she served as an au-pair girl for a British family in Wolverhampton, and a French family in Paris. Then after several years working in German industries, she had proudly saved enough money to buy a cute white Renault Dauphine, the first post-war car in the family. In 1959, Heidi met her future husband Bob, a Fulbright Post-Doc at the Max Planck Institute for Physical Chemistry in Goettingen. They were married on June 3, 1960 in an old Lutheran church built before the year 1500. Heidi and Bob entered the USA in September 1960, when Bob began a three-year ROTC commitment as First Lt. in USAF at WPAFB, OH. During this span of 3 years, the four children were born at the base hospital. To retain the German heritage for the family, the parents spoke only German with the children when they were all very young. Upon release from the USAF, Heidi moved to Columbus, OH where Bob started his career as Asst. Professor in Metallurgical Engineering at The Ohio State Univ. From that moment on, Heidi became an enthusiastic Buckeye fan. During the ensuing years, Heidi served as a loving, stay-at-home mother for her children, while supporting the academic career of her husband. She also became a naturalized American citizen, and a devoted member of Atonement Lutheran Church. After seven years, the Rapps built their residence on Southport Dr., and shortly thereafter left for a sabbatical year supported by a Guggenheim Fellowship at the University in Grenoble, France. The young children, who already understood German, were placed in a French grade school where they eventually learned French; their father also taught 3 different courses, lecturing 50 hours in French. During this period, some life-long French friendships were established, which became very important later in the family's history. Upon returning to Columbus, Heidi continued in her role as a caring mother to her children and provided further support for Bob's career. In 1985, Heidi and Bob spent a Fulbright-supported second sabbatical year split between Toulouse, France and Paris. In this case, the children were all busy at Universities, and did not accompany them. Heidi loved France and speaking French, a useful attribute during her final stay of 23 days in the Grenoble hospital where she was a big favorite of the nursing and medical staff. Over the course of the years, all four children graduated from colleges with good grades: three from OSU and Tom from Ohio U. They all married, found good jobs and raised families, resulting in 11 grandchildren. Incidentally, Kathy's French husband Guy Raynaud, was Bob's PhD student at OSU, specifically sent to study with Bob by a Professor friend in Grenoble. Throughout her life in Columbus, Heidi was a dedicated gardener, an excellent cook, and a voracious reader. She was an outdoors person, loving to hike, swim and bicycle. The whole family frequently completed century bike hikes, including TOSRV many times. In short, she enjoyed the simple things and family events of life. She loved to play bridge and travel, both throughout the USA with a tent camper, and otherwise throughout the world with her husband on his professional trips. In 1980 and 1982, Heidi and Bob became a couple of the early US visitors to China, where Heidi taught English classes to Chinese engineers in several cities. Heidi was a sweet, gracious, caring and generous person who was loved by her family and friends, and they received her love in return. Following her death, Heidi's body was cremated in France. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 2 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1621 Francisco Rd., Columbus, OH, with Rev. Daniel Bell presiding. In lieu of flowers, any memorial donation could be sent to Dep't Materials Sci. & Eng., The Ohio State University.