HEINZ ELLERSIECK

1920 - 2018

1920 - 2018 Heinz E Ellersieck passed away peacefully at his home in Altadena at age 98. Born in Norway he immigrated to the United States with his family at age 6. He grew up in Los Angeles and attended LA High School and UCLA. WWII service in the Army saw varied assignments, including learning to speak Russian, and ending in postwar Europe with the Army Air Corps. After the war he obtained his MA and later a Doctorate in History at UCLA, and taught History for 38 years as a professor at Caltech in Pasadena. Active in civic affairs he served in and/or held positions with the Pasadena Human Relations Commission, Pasadena Junior Rifle Club, Southern California Junior Rifle League, Altadena Foothills Conservancy, and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy among others. Throughout his long life Heinz always felt very fortunate in what he was able to do, and in those numerous people he was able to meet and associate with. He loved to converse, and would do so with anyone he met, no matter their station in life. He loved traveling and never lost his interest in people, history, and current events. He corresponded copiously and had a lifelong passion for reading. He loved being outdoors, from his yearly backpacking trips in the High Sierras, to working on his land and building things. His body wore out before his interest in living did. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth Riemer and his beloved second wife Astrid Elena Nye. He is survived by his Sister Edith Wells, his son Eric Ellersieck and daughter Laura Ellersieck, and stepsons Michael Haussler and Steve Haussler. Please sign the guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/pasadenastarnews.