Günther Greszik
Four Score and seven years ago born in his parent’s house in Jegodnen near Johannesburg, East Prussia on April 26, 1930 came a blessed child – Günther Greszik.
He was the second youngest of his Carpenter Father, Hermann’s four children of two boys and two girls (Horst, Ilse, Günther, and Giesla). Günther’s mother was Helene – maiden name Grandt. He cared a great deal for his Mom and she gave her life for her children at an early age.
Over time Jegodnen, Prussia became Balkfelde, Germany and is now Jegodnen, Poland. It was upsetting to Günther when he had to write Poland – not Germany as the current name of the place he was born while renewing his passport. Of course he took it with his normal sense of humor.
Günther died peacefully in his home in Los Gatos, California on June 24, 2017 at the age of 87.
Günther is survived by many relatives in Germany and many loving friends throughout the world.
At a young age Günther enjoyed, among many other things, swimming in the river, playing the violin and watching his father work in his woodshop building furniture, however could not stand the smell of the glue.
He lost his 19 year old brother Horst to the war when he was only 14 years old. This is the time when Günther and his family were driven from their community by the invasion of the Russians. They had a long flight looking for sanctuary and finally found it in Hamburg. It was there his studies took him to medicine and he became a pharmacist.
At age 26 he left Hamburg on his long voyage to the United States where he was sponsored by the Lutheran Church and stayed with his sponsor’s family while he was getting on his feet.
First he worked in a dynamite factory, a restaurant, and then a pharmacy while he studied to become a language teacher. His studies took him to Mexico for a couple years, and even several months to Spain. He visited his family in Germany often.
Günther taught at a number of schools and helped people most of his life. He taught at San Francisco State, Riordan, Serra High, Saratoga High, and San Jose City College to name a few. When not teaching he would take students on tours of Europe to show them the ways of the lands and the people.
Günther lived in a number of locations once he made it out west. He started in Richmond, moved to San Francisco, followed by Redwood City, then Mexico, Saratoga, and finally settling in Los Gatos.
In 1966 while looking for a place to stay Günther met Les Green who was a principle, and had a room for rent. At the time they didn’t know it however they would become roommates, best friends, and soulmates for 37 years until Les passed away in January 2003.
Günther was a happy guy who always had a contagious smile on his face, never let the little things bother him and was an inspiration to all who knew him.
On June 24th, 2017 at 87 years old Günther played his final chapter and closed the book on a wonderful life. Günther has now moved on to be with the people who were so dear to him and had left on their journey before him.
A celebration of Günther’s life will be held at Hakone Estate and Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, California with a gathering and service starting at 10:00AM on August 5th, 2017. Please R.S.V.P. to PaulN1@hotmail.com with the subject Günther or Gunther if you can attend.
In lieu of flowers please either plant something that will beautify the world, make donations to the Lutheran Church, a donation to Hakone Gardens, or an institute helping to bring peace and beauty to the world. Günther used to say “Cut Flowers are beauty cut down in its prime”!
Günther YOU ARE LOVED, will always be in our hearts, and will be missed by all who knew you.
May Peace Be With You My Friend!