Wolfgang H. Nowka

Wolfgang Hans Egon Nowka, at the age of 73, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2015, at home with his beloved wife, Erika, of 48 years by his side. He was born on Jan. 22, 1942, in Wolkenberg, East Germany to Oskar and Charlotte Nowka. Wolfgang began to learn his trade as a cabinet maker at the age of 14. When he was 19, he heard rumors that the borders would be closed in Berlin. He took his bike, boarded a train, told his mother he was going dancing and instead made his way to West Germany. He worked as a cabinet maker in Traunreut, Germany. He was very adventurous and decided to head to North America. Wolfgang lived and worked in Canada and New Jersey before making his way to Anchorage, Alaska, where he began working for Mastercraft, which later turned into a partnership. At this time he met and married his sweetheart, Erika. Four children came to fill their home: Renate, Martin, Christine and Hans. Wolfgang moved the family back to Germany in the early '70s. With the family living in Europe, he came back to Alaska to work on the pipeline construction in Valdez. During the pipeline development, the family moved back to Alaska. They built their dream home on the hillside and have lived there ever since. Wolfgang owned and operated Hans Nowka Cabinet Shop for more than 40 years. He has built beautiful custom cabinets in homes, schools, churches and businesses. With his hard work and dedication he has left an enduring legacy as a Master Craftsman all over the State of Alaska. He loved playing the harmonica, accordion and flute. His favorite fishing spot was Chitina, where he could spend the days sitting on his rock. He was a big part of this community in many ways. He belonged to the Carpenters Union and was an active member of the German Club of Anchorage. Wolfgang was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte; father, Oskar; step­father, Erich Konzack; and brother, Siegfried Nowka. Wolfgang is survived by his loving wife, Erika; his children and their spouses, Renate Nowka and Eric, Martin Nowka and Julia, Christine and Grant Chiacchia and Hans and Annette Nowka; grandchildren, Victor with wife, Haley, Patrick, Matthew, Jordan, Alexandra, Cooper, Sharlynn, Abagale, Charlotte and Aiden; great-grandchildren, Uilliam and Pearl; and nephew, Frank with wife, Cordula Nowka and daughter, Mareen, with Markus and little Charlotte. Wolfgang will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he has touched. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at the Viking Hall 8141 Briarwood St. Anchorage, AK 99518, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to be sent to: Erika Nowka, 7541 Upper O'Malley Rd., Anchorage, Alaska 99507.