Introduction
Introduction¶
Ewald Rapp was born into humble conditions in a one of the German Colonies of Volhynia, in country that initially welcomed German farmers and craftsmen. Soon after his birth, with the rising tensions of the great war, the ugly spectre of “us verses them” raised its head. These tensions would soon lead to the expulsion of German colonists from their homes and forced resettlement in Siberia. Realizing the imminent catastrophe that was approaching, at age 3, Ewald’s family left their farm and possessions and fled. This was the first of several times during his life that Ewald left all behind as a refugee.
Eventually the family settled in Kreis Angerburg, Ostpreußen an area along the present day border between Poland and the Russian Kaliningrad Oblast. There Ewald, grew up and enjoyed good years with his brothers and sister with a life typical of that of early 20th century German farmers. As he entered his later teen years, he found that farm-life was not for him and decided to apprentice to a master shoemaker in the village of Olschöwen. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, he volunteered for military service and was stationed in Insterburg. It was during this time that he met and married his wife Marta and soon welcomed their first child into the world, Harald Ewald. There was a brief interlude after his military service where the new family worked on starting a shoe making business and began to grow. Soon Harald was joined by Gunter, Wolfgang, Ursula, Manfred and Ditmar.
The initiation of world conflict by Adolf Hitler would have a terrible impact on the young family. Two children, Ursula and Ditmar, died in infancy due to unsettled circumstance and lack of proper medical attention. The family would be forced to flee several times leaving all behind. Ewald was drafted back into military service and his division was called into action in Russia resulting in a severe wound that cost his right leg.
As the war ended, the family found themselves in the Russian Zone. Ewald determined that the chance for freedom was worth the risk and brought his family across the border into the English Zone, making several trips to do so. This was done in spite of hampered mobility due to an artificial limb.
After settling in Braunschweig, West Germany, Ewald acquired a bombed out building and worked to rebuild it. The building not only served as a store for the family business, but also to provided housing for his and other families. In spite of building a successful business from nothing, Ewald decided to emigrate to the United States in a hope of shielding his family and descendants from the horrors he had experienced through two global conflicts. So in 1953, the family once again left all behind and left for Las Vegas, Nevada.
In Las Vegas, Ewald found the craft that he had practiced had little demand so, he began a new profession as a chef. He diligently worked his way up the ranks until he was recognized for excellence in his work. Hardships continued to follow him. Perhaps due to the terrible trauma faced in the war, his wife of over 25 years abandoned Ewald and one child still at home and disappeared. This led to another new start within a few years as Ewald married Regena Stewart. At an older age than was customary, he started a new family with two additional children, Daniel and Marianna.
There was yet to be another new start as after ten years, while on a family vacation driving through Utah, Ewald declared, “we are going to move here”. So, the family packed up and relocated to Spanish Fork, Utah and Ewald began working as a chef in charge of special events and catering at Brigham Young University.
As a young boy, I was convinced that my father could fix anything. He passed away when I was thirty years old. Almost thirty years later, I still miss his boundless energy, strength of character and simple wisdom. I recall that most mornings I would wake to find that he was already at work and had left several hours earlier. I remember him coming home after spending all day on his feet, and being in severe pain due to the pressure on his amputated leg. He would prepare a simple home remedy poultice and apply it to provide some relief. I never once heard him complain.
The word that comes to mind when I think of my father is perseverance. I hope to share the history, experiences, memories, wisdom of a man who inspired many in a quiet way. You will find, in the following chapters, bits and pieces of Ewald’s life experience together with some historical information to provide context and serve as a backdrop for the lessons I learned from my father. I hope that you may, in a small way, come to know the man that I love and admire.