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Joachim Elterich Obituary
Newark - Dr. Joachim (Jock) Elterich, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, passed away on June 27, 2018 at 5:25 PM at the Brackenville Center in Hockessin, Delaware. He was 88 years old. He passed with dignity and peace and was surrounded by his family. Jock lived a full life filled with family, travel, adventure and an intellectual curiosity.
Dr. Elterich spent the majority of his career as a professor teaching at the University of Delaware. He was a Fulbright research scholar at the University of Bonn (Germany) where he obtained his undergraduate degree and went on to obtain his masters degree at the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D. at Michigan State University. He held Professorships at the University of Kiel (Germany) and Slovak University (Slovakia). He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from The Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia) for the work he did there for several years. Jock played a significant role in the origination of the Operations Research (OR) Department at the University of Delaware and was the chairman of the OR Department for several years. Jock had such gratitude for both his Fulbright and Rotary scholarships which allowed him to study in the United States, that he created a Fellowship for foreign graduate students to study Operations Research and Agricultural Economics in the United States (The Dr G. Joachim Elterich Fund for Foreign Graduate Assistantships) at the University of Delaware.
Jock was an avid mountaineer and enjoyed travelling to all corners of the earth. He and his family spent many vacations hiking and climbing the mountains in the Rockies and the Alps. Jock loved the National Parks and took his family touring, camping, and hiking through most of the National Parks. Jock led many adventures with his family across the United States in our 1969 VW Bus which we affectionately called "The Blue Ox." His thirst for adventure caused him to drive our VW van up harrowing mountain passes which regularly kept us on the edge of our seats! His German roots brought him and our family frequently back to Europe for family vacations and adventures. One of Jock's many legacies is that his love of travel and adventure has been embraced by his children and grandchildren.
In his retirement he kept busy as the treasurer for the Iron Hill Museum and as the Vice President of UDARF (University of Delaware Association of Retired Faculty).
Jock is survived by his wife Martha (married 57 years) and their children; Stefan (wife Allison), Karin Elterich, and Jeffrey (wife Kris) and their grandchildren: Celestine, Andreas, Ethan, Arden and Asa.
As his final contribution, Dr. Elterich donated his body to science to support advancements in scientific research and medical education.
A memorial service will be scheduled in his honor (TBD).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joachim Elterich
Jenny Humphreys
August 29, 2018
Karin,
My heartfelt condolences to you all as you celebrate the life of your dad/husband/opa this coming Sunday. Your father's charm, his strength, his thirst for adventure are all traits passed on to you and your brothers. I always enjoyed visiting your home and listening to your dad talk about his life in Dresden, his pursuit of his education and his love story of meeting your mom and making a home in Delaware. His humor, his love for family and his strength of character are wonderful examples of a man who has lived a life fully and on his own terms. He has taught you well Karin as you carry these traits deep within you!
Bob and Michelle Patterson
August 28, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers of comfort go out to Jock's family during this time. He is missed at St. Paul's saying "guten Morgen". We always enjoyed greeting him at the doors to the church.
Bob and Michelle Patterson
Eleonora Marisova
July 17, 2018
Dear Mrs. Elterich and family,
Please accept my sincere condolence. I learned about Joachims death last week in Nitra, Slovakia.
The sorrowful news has made me very sad since we've worked with Joachim, spent a very nice time together with both of you here in Slovakia and in Delaware, too.
I can not forget your care and contentment we received with my son at your home in Delaware and during trips around.
This sad event is an opportunity to think of our friends who have left us and wish to whole remaining family peace.
Eleonora Marisova
July 18, 2018, Slovakia
Peter Fandel
July 16, 2018
Dear Mrs.Elterich:
Please accept sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your husband Dr. Joachim (Jock) Elterich, Ph.D. from his former colleagues at the University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia. He, as our Doctor Honoris Causa awardee, was so special person for our university. We admired his energy and enthusiasm when preparing and later managing USAI educational project of Institute for Business Development and Management, which was an excellent preparation for future life of 120 graduates in then changing society of Slovakia in 90s. We remember him as an excellent visiting professor and organizer of international seminars and conference at our university. His generosity and support also enabled several our students to come to UD and carry out their graduate studies. We appreciate so much his contribution to the development of our institution and will never forget it. He will be missed by all of us.
Peter Fandel
Department of Statistics and Operations Research
University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
Annerose Schaffrin
July 12, 2018
Martha, we only recently met during a neighborhood gathering at Mark's and Debbi's house, while my husband Burkhard and I were visiting our children and grandchildren at 114 Timberline Drive. It was fascinating to listen to Jock's stories of adventurous travels when we then visited you at your home. Joachim's unsurpassed courage,and deep love are an inspiration for all of us, especially the native Germans who make their living in the USA.
Lisa Raker
July 11, 2018
Mrs. Elterich and family,
It was truly a pleasure working with your father during my years in the department of Agricultural Economics at UD. I can remember readying his research for publication and caring for his many office plants when he would travel. He will be missed.
Holding your family close in our thoughts,
Lisa (Hearn) and Bruce Raker
Diane & Tibor Toth
July 10, 2018
Mrs. Elterich: We send our heartfelt condolences. You both showed us such incredible kindness through the years... from our first meeting in Slovakia over 20 years ago. We have such fond memories of your flying overseas to celebrate at our wedding, and the many fabulous adventure travel stories Dr. Elterich would tell (always with a wink and a smile). His decision to welcome Tibor to the graduate program brought us to Delaware, where we put down roots, established careers, and built a family. None of this would have happened without your husband's kindness and generosity. He will be greatly missed.
Love, Diane, Tibor & Alex
July 3, 2018
Dear Mrs. Elterich: My heartfelt condolences are with you, but also many thanks for his inspiring and never resting energy that he shared with me in many research projects. Cordially yours, George Haenlein, professor emeritus also and in a retirement home in West Virginia, Ona.
Neva Anton-Wilkinson
July 2, 2018
Karin and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your Dad was certainly a very special man. I know that you are all going to miss him very much, but will have such beautiful memories.
Love, Neva & Dave
RK
July 2, 2018
Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1, 2
Autumn
July 1, 2018
What an amazing man your father was! I am so glad to have met him and glad Nawla also brought him some joy. How lucky you are that your father instilled the beauty of nature, the wanderlust of travel and the bonds of family in each of your lives. So many cherished memories to comfort you from this moment forward. You will hear your father in the wind, see your father in the sky and remember your father and all the life lessons he taught you wherever you go and whatever you do. I hope peace goes with you.
Maxine LaPlace
July 1, 2018
Martha and children
I am sorry to see that Jock is gone. All of you were great neighbors for many years. Yes, I remember that blue VW bus being pushed to start. Many fond neighbor/friend memories. Karin, thank you for being at Melissa's funeral. My condolences and best wishes for you all from New Mexico where I now live.
Maxine
M C
July 1, 2018
I am truly and deeply sorry for you loss. My warmest condolences go out to the family and friends of Joachim. May the God of all comfort grant you peace and strength during this difficult time (psalm 29:11)
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