Herbert R DAEHNE

8 APR 1933 - 7 SEP 2016

• BIRTH: 8 APR 1933, Rositz, Thuringen, Germany
• DEATH: 7 SEP 2016, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 4 JUL 1964, Niles, Berrien, Michigan

INDEX

[N15309] Herbert R. Daehne
Apr. 8, 1933 - Sept. 7, 2016
SOUTH BEND - Herbert Richard Daehne passed away at the age of 83 on September 7, 2016 in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana. He was born on April 8, 1933 in Rositz, Thuringen, Germany to Richard and Margarite (Luber) Dahne. After completing his academic schooling in his mother country Germany in 1947, Herbert became a journeyman in construction at the age of 14. Following his apprenticeship, he worked in Herdecke, Germany gaining valuable experience and proficiency in his trade which he brought with him when he immigrated to the United States in 1960. Herbert became a naturalized U.S. citizen on September 24, 1965. After arriving in the U.S. he met Dorthea Hahn and married her on July 4, 1964. She passed away in 1997. They had one son, Christian (Susan) currently living in Orange Park, Florida. Herbert also helped raise two stepdaughters, Monica Carroll and Stefanie Miller, both of South Bend. Other survivors include: a brother-in-law, Fred Kadenbach of Geelong, Australia; grandchildren, Drew, Maxwell and Chloe Daehne of Orange Park, Florida; step-grandchildren, Nicholas Carroll of Pennsylvania, Jonathon Carroll of South Bend, Michael Carroll of Indianapolis and Jessica (Devon) Johnson of South Bend; great-grandchildren, Audrick, Dahlia and Vivica Johnson of South Bend; nieces, Claudia (Jose Miguel) Fito-Dahne of Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Heidi (Andrew) Sonnic of Paris, France; nephews, Vincente Fito-Dahne of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Roy (Debra) and Mark (Irene) Kadenbach of Geelong, Australia; and several other nieces, nephews and countless friends and acquaintances. Also surviving is his very special friend and companion of almost 19 years, Barbara Tjarksen. Deceased relatives in addition to his wife include his parents and his two sisters, Lotte Kadenbach of Geelong, Australia and Ursula Dahne of Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Herbert worked in construction for 48 years, 35 of them in the United States as both a carpenter and then a superintendent for Verkler Construction. He spent many a day on the job at the University of Notre Dame doing various construction and remodeling jobs over the years. While he was a superintendent, he was a very demanding supervisor and was referred to by some of his workers as “The General” because of his strict work ethic and the proficiency which he demanded from them on the job. He was so proud of that title though, as well as of his German heritage. He made so many friends and acquaintances while on the job at the University. His notoriety was apparent in that in later years when he was out and about, he invariably would run into someone from his past that would reminisce with him about the old Notre Dame days. In addition to his employment at Verkler, Herbert also delved into many other construction jobs on his own for private individuals. He thrived on his building skills and took great satisfaction in his work. While his children were growing up, Herbert spent endless hours taking them to their various practices and events - his son to hockey games and his step-daughters to swimming events - where they all excelled in their individual sports. He was a very competitive person and encouraged his children to be so, too. Later as his grandchildren came into his life, it was soccer that garnered his interest as some of them were involved in the sport. He loved them very much and was so very proud of their many academic accomplishments as well as their physical ones. When he wasn't building or remodeling something, being involved in his family's sporting events, puttering in the yard, or taking care of the flowers in the greenhouse which he had built, Herbert was ready to get involved in a good game of poker at the South Bend Moose or blackjack at the Casino. After his retirement from construction, “Herbie”, as he would come to be called by his friends, enjoyed watching the stock market and also learned to love the sport of golf. He spent much of his time cultivating his game and his friendships at Four Lakes Country Club in Edwardsburg, Michigan (and in Florida in the winter months). His fierce competitiveness surfaced again every time he got on the golf course. On one occasion he kicked so hard at a golf ball he had missed because of a bad putt that he threw his back out. After that time he used the “bad back” excuse for any bad shots he had. In addition to playing golf or following it on TV, Herbert enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs (he wondered if this is the year), the Chicago Bears, the Indy Colts, Notre Dame football, hockey and basketball and the Blackhawks. Last but not least, “Herbie” enjoyed traveling. He went back to his homeland Europe and to Australia a number of times to visit the countries and family members living there. After his retirement he traveled extensively with his special friend to Australia, China, Europe, the Caribbean Islands, Panama Canal and Central America, the United States, Canada and Mexico. Many wonderful friendships were made during those travels and their memories continued with him until his very last day. Herb believed in living each day to the fullest, loving and taking pride in his wonderful family and spending precious time with them and the close friends he truly treasured. So many of us will miss him dearly. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 16th in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd. with Rev. Loren Van Oort officiating. Committal services and burial will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.Memorial contributions in Herb's memory may be sent to American Heart/American Stroke Association , Midwest Affiliate, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL, 60674; or National Kidney Foundation , Finance Department, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Sept. 13, 2016