Search by Name

Search by Name

JOSEPH HANDWERGER Obituary

HANDWERGER Joseph Handwerger A talented architect and witty raconteur, Joseph Handwerger, 86, died peacefully in his sleep on June 11, 2018 at a hospital in Arlington, VA. The cause was complications from a fall at home. The second son of Bernard and Leah Handwerger, immigrants from Poland, Mr. Handwerger was born on September 27, 1931 in Mobile, Alabama. He was raised in an apartment above his parents' grocery store and attended the University of Alabama on an ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1953. After service in the United States Air Force, Mr. Handwerger received his Master's degree in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1959. He practiced archi- tecture for a year in Stockholm, Sweden, before moving to Washington, DC and founding Joseph Handwerger Architects. He was involved in numerous embassy enhancement projects around the world for the State Department, including the design of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Local projects included a modern addition to the Indonesian Embassy in the Walsh-McLean Mansion at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue and the headquarters of Africare in the renovated Morse Elementary School in Shaw. In his review of the Africare building, Washington Post architecture critic Benjamin Forgey noted, "The result is a handsome, indeed a striking, new presence on R Street." Mr. Handwerger spent many summers on Nantucket in a house he designed and built in Madaket. He was a lifelong baseball fan, who loved to take in games at the old Memorial Stadium and Nationals Park, as well as at St. Albans School, where he watched his son and then his grandsons play for the Bulldogs. His first marriage to Gretchen Mann ended in divorce. Survivors include his wife, the garden designer Jane MacLeish; three children from his first marriage, Mark Handwerger, Anne Large, and Sarah Handwerger, all of Washington; two step-children, Ruth Krumbhaar of San Francisco and Fred Krumbhaar of Boulder; and ten grandchildren. A celebration of Mr. Handwerger's life is planned for the fall. Donations in his memory may be made to his favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org.A celebration of Mr. Handwerger's life is planned for the fall. Donations in his memory may be made to his favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Published by The Washington Post from Jun. 19 to Jun. 21, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH HANDWERGER

Not sure what to say?





Joe was a wonderful neighbor. We will miss his gentle presence.

Paula Hirschoff

July 5, 2018

Joe, what wonderful memories I have of you as classmates and Fraternity brothers at The University of Alabama. Bless you dear Joe.

Jack Bern,

June 25, 2018

Dear Joe , May your trip to the new world be like the symphony. In loving memory Rina and David Hattis. Dear Jane : we are hewre for you any time.

Rina /David Hattis

June 23, 2018

You are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength, peace and comfort to help you endure this loss. May you find strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you shared. Please accept my sincerest condolences. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

June 20, 2018

Sorry for your great loss, may God's loving kindness comfort and help you through this difficult time. Psalm 51:17

June 20, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 comfort your family.

June 19, 2018

Dominique Woodland

June 19, 2018

Dominique Woodland

June 19, 2018

Psalm 90:10 says that the days of our years are 70 years, And if because of special mightiness they are 80 years. May the memories of the wonderful times you shared together bring a smile and joy in your heart.

June 19, 2018

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

Make a Donation
in JOSEPH HANDWERGER's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for JOSEPH HANDWERGER

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support JOSEPH's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor JOSEPH HANDWERGER's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more