Rudolf Ernst Kretschmann

Rudolf E. Kretschmann July 19, 1924 – May 2, 2012 Rudi was the only son of Maria and Gustav Kretschmann he had five sisters, Elisabeth, Margarete, Helene, Irmgard, Dorothea. Rudi's love of the sea began when he was 4, when his father decided to move the family to Argentina. Their stay in Argentina was short, but long enough for the family to expand by one, before moving back to Germany. The Kretschmann family settled in a small farm town, Graeningen, southwest of Berlin. Rudi helped work the family farm. He gathered mushrooms in the meadows and sold them in Rathenow and used the money to buy his first bicycle. Once again the love of sea called Rudi. At the age of 17 he enlisted into the navy. When the war ended Rudi returned home from a POW camp in England. He worked for a short time in the coal mines in Oberhausen Germany. He returned home to Graeningen, and met the love of his life Ilse. He finished his education and became an agriculture teacher. On July 26, 1952 Rudi married Ilse, and they took a two week honeymoon on his motorcycle. They were blessed with a daughter Monika in 1953. Rudi became tired and impatient with the socialist government of East Germany. His father once encouraged Rudi to move to America if the opportunity arose. On January 19, 1957 Rudi moved his young family to West Berlin and began to make plans to move to USA. They left Berlin on November 10, 1957 with Sabena Airlines, with stops at Frankfurt, Brussels, Shannon, and Montreal , arriving in New York on November 11, 1957. Rudi's cousins Otto and Paul picked them up, as they began a new life in the USA. After living in Jamaica, Queens NY for two years, Rudi bought his own house in Bethpage NY. Rudi learned the trade of a carpenter from his cousin Rudy Pretsch. In 1964 Rudi started his own construction business. He built over 30 houses in Nassau County. In September of 1980 Rudi and Ilse moved to Florida. Rudi continued his career as residential contractor. Rudi enjoyed ushering at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Bethpage and Ascension Lutheran Church in Casselberry. Rudi and Ilse made many good friends in both churches. Rudi was a member of the Rotary Club in New York and Florida. He enjoyed his time as a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Florida, and as a member of the German-American Society. In Florida Rudi served as a school crossing guard and poll deputy. Rudi took great pride in his grandchildren Elizabeth and Andrew, and his great granddaughter Lillian. He loved to play with the grand kids in the pool, at the beach, in the snow, and sailing on his boat. Rudi is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Ilse, daughter Monika Cunneen and husband John, granddaughter Elizabeth Greenberg and husband Eric, grandson Andrew and his wife Natalie and great granddaughter Lillian. He also survived by sisters Lisa, Grete, Irmi and Dora, as well as nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to any of the following worthy causes: Ascension Lutheran Church- www.ascensionlcms.org/ VITAS Hospice- http://www.vitas.com/ Habitat for Humanity of Nassau County- www.hfhnc.org/