Reinhold Josef Reichman

It is with a sense of loss and sadness that we share the news of Reinhold Reichmann's passing (88) on March 13th 2025 at his home in Walnut Creek.
Born in Lichtenstadt, Czechoslovakia, he along with his mother, grandmother and younger brother were evicted by government decree, as part of a series of expulsions by the former Soviet Union, of ethnic Germans out of Eastern Europe and into American occupied Germany, during the end of World War II. The family fled by night train on a cattle car, and were able to resettle to Poebenhausen, a small village in Bavaria, Germany.
Reinhold graduated from high school in Mainburg, Germany and later from banking school i n Munich, Germany, 1956. He pursued a career in international and commercial banking, credit review and examinations beginning with the Deutsche Bank in Munich.
He was married to the love of his life, Franziska, in Munich in 1961 before embarking on his greatest adventure, emigrating to the United States of America. He sailed into New York Harbor in 1962, then crossed the continent by train to San Diego, California, with $50 in his pocket. He lived with his cousin, Hedda Hedge and her family who sponsored him for a year, after which his wife and baby Elisabeth were able to join him in San Diego.
Reinhold worked for the U.S. National Bank of San Diego for 12 years, before resettling to the Bay Area in 1973, where he initially worked for Crocker Bank in San Francisco, and later for Wells Fargo Bank, and Union Bank, holding such positions as AVP, VP, Commercial Loan Officer and Credit Examiner.
Reinhold had learned to play the violin in his youth and loved classical music, poetry, i iterature and history. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors, hiking frequently at Point Reyes National Seashore. He was a gentle soul of great and noble character, of modest grace and dignity and selflessness of heart; a true gentleman and man of integrity.
Resident of Contra Costa County for 52 years, he is leaving behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Franziska Maier Reichmann, daughter Elisabeth Reichmann Andrews, grandchildren Rachel Andrews Moss (32) and Julian Andrews (29), brother Alfred Reichmann and sister Angelika Reichmann Puschert, both in Germany. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Wirkner Reichmann in 1956, Father Josef Reichmann in 1970, and stepmother Johanna Schnabel Reichmann in 1998.
A Memorial service will be held Friday, May 30th, 10am St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Walnut Creek, CA. There will be a visitation Thursday, May 29th, 2-5pm Holy Angels Queen of Heaven in Lafayette, CA