Eulogy for Manfred Rapp¶
Date |
Location |
Speaker |
|---|---|---|
4 Nov 2021 |
Henderson, Nevada |
Daniel Rapp |
As I’ve thought of the passing of my brother Manny, one question kept coming to me, how do you measure someone’s life? We have all done good things; extended a hand to lift someone up. Likewise, we have all, whether through intention or carelessness offended others and in so doing increased a burden that was already heavy. As I reflect back on my brother’s life, I also trust in the Shepherd of all our souls to measure justly.
Manny was born to Ewald and Marta on the first of August, 1941. He was born in Insterburg, East Prussia, Germany. After World War 2, this area was claimed by Russia and Insterburg is now Chernyakhovsk in the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia. Manny was the 5th of 6 children by Ewald and Marta, his siblings are: Harald, Curt (Gunter), Freddie (Wolfgang), Ursula and Ditmar.
Being born in such troublesome times was difficult. Manny’s older sister, Ursula, had passed away before his birth due to the unsettled conditions and lack of proper medical care. She was soon to be joined by Manny’s younger brother, Ditmar, who passed away due to diptheria as the family fled the ravages of the war.
While Manny was still a toddler, the family had to leave everything behind to move away from the approaching front lines. They resettled in a small farm village near Wittenberg, the city where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church. Their hope being that they might avoid some of the destruction and devastation of the war, by being close to such a significant cultural and religious location.
As the war ended and Germany was divided between the major allied powers, Manny’s family found themselves in the Russian Zone. A decision was reached to attempt to cross the border into the American Zone. In order to avoid arousing suspicion, the family went across the border in twos or threes at different times, with Manny’s father returning each time to shepherd the next group over the border. I find it hard to imagine the fear that a 5 year old boy must have felt trying to sneak past Russian Armed Soldiers for a chance of freedom and a better life. I’m sure it was helped somewhat by the presence of his father and older brother Curt.
As refugees, with hardly anything other than the clothes on their backs, the family first settled in Nützen. As was common as war-torn Europe rebuilt, they suffered from hunger and other deprevations. For some time, the only accommodations for Manny, his brothers and his father, was a hay loft in a barn. Eventually, Manny and his family settled in Braunschweig. Here they acquired a bombed out building which they collectively rebuilt into the family home, business and apartments for several other families.
When Manny was 12 years old, the family decided to emigrate to the United States to leave behind the horrors that they had lived through. So the family once again left most of their belongings and the only homeland they knew behind, boarded the ocean liner, Queen Mary and left for America, a foreign country with a foreign tongue.
Manny’s Uncle John (Julius) had left for the US just after World War I, eventually settling in Las Vegas. As he was their sponsor, they came to Vegas too. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, they first stayed with Uncle John in a small house. So small, in fact, that the boys ended up sleeping in a shed in the backyard. Before too long with most of the family working, they were able to purchase a home in North Las Vegas.
Here, Manny went to school. In high school, he enjoyed playing basketball and was considered a star on the team. That was, until he got into some trouble. Our father, coming from a strict German background, benched Manny. I’d like to think that if either Manny had avoided the trouble, or our father wasn’t quite so strict, he might have pursued his interest in basketball beyond high school.
After high school, Manny joined many of the other members of the family in a career in the culinary arts. He was often found working together with two of his brothers, Curt and Freddie; and sometimes other members of the extended family. In fact, the Rapp brothers were so well known in the Las Vegas culinary scene that they were referred to as the Rapp Pack. All three were recruited to open the food service operations at the MGM Hotel when that hotel opened in the early 90’s.
Manny was a private person and at times would keep more distance from family than many of us would have liked. Still, he loved his family very much and was very proud of them. I think he viewed it as a badge of the highest honor to think of what that family from Insterburg, Germany endured to make it to America, make a name for themselves here and flourish.
Manny leaves behind his sweetheart of almost 40 years, Minnie. He was the last of the German-born Rapps with his parents, his siblings born in Germany, and his son Timmy, preceding him in death. He leaves behind a brother and sister born here in Las Vegas, Marianna and me. Manny also leaves behind his children Manny, Jr. and his wife Kimberly, Patty and her husband Richard, Matthew, and Timmy’s widow Kellye; along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
We are grateful for Manny and his life even though things were tough at times. He will be missed, especially by his sweetheart Minnie who has stood by his side. I am . FCH grateful for the care and support that Manny Jr and Kim have given to both Minnie and Manny, especially this past week. We are also grateful that Patty and Matthew are here along with all family and friends to remember him.
Manny, may you rest in peace with our Lord and Saviour until we meet again is my prayer in his name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.