Hans Moser

Prior Las Vegas resident Hans Joseph Moser, age 78, died on June 5, 2003 at his home in Juneau, Alaska, due to complications related to emphysema. Hans was born on October 7, 1925 on a German ocean liner while his parents were immigrating to Mexico. He was raised in a German community in Mexico where he met the love of his life, Estela. Many of his friends and family knew him as Juan Jose. In 1958, the Moser family immigrated to the United States and finally settled in Las Vegas where they raised their expanded family of 10 children. Hans held several positions in Las Vegas. He worked as a chef at the Desert Inn, Foxy's, the Dunes and the Alpine Village. In 1969, he worked with Helmut Riedner, as assistance executive chef opening the Las Vegas International Hotel (now the Hilton) and later worked as executive chef at the Flamingo and Binion's Horseshoe. He was a proud and active member in the culinary union in Las Vegas and the Fraternity of Executive Chefs of the State of Nevada, Inc. He was active in UNLV's College of Hotel Administration Internship Program. In 1979 Hans left Las Vegas and moved to Juneau where he owned and operated the El Sombrero restaurant. He and his wife were known as Papa Juan and Mama Estela by their patrons and employees. Family members said he was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a heart for people and especially his family. He was happiest when the entire family would gather for the numerous celebrations it had. He was a gentle man of strong character who loved to tell stories of his childhood, beat his son-in-laws at chess, dispense free advise and liberally pass out candy to his grandchildren the family said. He was preceded in death by his parents Hans Philipp Moser and Julie Pfluger de Moser, his brother Gustavo Moser and sister Julia Moser Kuderna Feldman and his oldest son, Juan Jose Moser Jr. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Estela Macedo Moser, his 9 children, Estela (James) Vaden and Gustavo (Karen) Moser of Las Vegas, Walter Moser of San Diego, Paul (Faith) Moser of North Ridge, Fritz (Patty) Moser, Hans (Tonja) Moser, Elizabeth (Ted) Lehrback, Erika (Brent) Fagerstrom and Julie (Eric) Simpson of Juneau. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Lung Association. A mass will be held at St. Viator Catholic church on, Saturday, August 16, at 11:00 A.M. Inter6ment will follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens. Arrangements made by Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home.