Obituary of Hans Guenther

Hans W. Guenther of Vineland, passed away on September 21, 2016 at home. He was born on July 8, 1930 to the late Hans G. and Elisabeth (Steinhagen) Guenther in Hamburg, Germany where as a teen he learned the baking trade and worked as a bread and pastry baker in Hamburg. He arrived in the USA in 1951 settling in Vineland. Shortly after, he was drafted into the USArmy and served in Korea from 1952 until 1954. Upon his honorable discharge he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the State of NJ Distinguished Service Medal. Soon after his discharge, Hans began working as a mason and then as a carpenter for Pagano Construction in Vineland, later taking the position odf head of school repairs for the Vineland Board of Education. While at that position, he began college courses at Glassboro State College, (now Rowan University), and eventually became a high school teacher in charge of students learning the building trade. Following that, he organized a photography course of study and taught pghotography in both the 9-10 and the 11-12 Vineland high school buildings which he continued until his retirement in 1992. In 1983 he became a member of the Coast Guard Auxillary, Flotilla 33, serving as commander for 3 years. In retirement, he spent many hours in his work shed, and his greatest love was his large vegetable garden enclosed by a hand-made picket fence. He also was an avid reader of history books, both in German and the English language. He continued his baking of bread and pastry at home also, and during the holidays, his Kloeben (stollen), was looked forward to and enjoyed by his family and friends.