Jack Vorfeld Page 1

Synopsis of Jack's Life | Early Years | San Francisco Vorfelds
Trans-Pacific and Inter-Island Steamship Travel | Judy's Tribute | Memorial Photos-1
Memorial Photos-2 | Memorial Photos-3 | Tributes by Friends and Relatives

(Note: Jack Vorfeld died October 19, 2004. Click here for details of his life and pictures of the memorial services.)

In 1908, my father, Walter T Vorfeld (b 12/10/1887), intent on making a fortune, left San Francisco for the Phillipines. His ship stopped in Hawaii, and he decided to earn more money before sailing on to Manila. While employed as a bookkeeper for Alexander & Baldwin's Kahuku Sugar Company, he met Frieda Janssen, the Head Luna's daughter. Walter decided to marry Frieda. She did not object. They married when she was 20, in 1911, at the Lutheran church in Honolulu, Territory of Oahu.

They made Hawaii their home. I was the first of three children (b. 02/29/12). Many years later, while he was Vice President & Corporate Secretary of American Factors, Dad retired. He died in 1962 and was buried in Nuuanu Cemetery. Mother died in 1977 and was buried next to Walter. I have over 80 years of happy memories.

While I now live in Arizona, much of my family is still in Hawaii Nei. Sister Charlotte Fleener lives on the Big Island with her daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Dave Coon. My son, Ted and his wife Martha also live on the Big Island. Brother Bob and the vivacious Wilma live on Maui as do their kids, Walt and Ellen and Robbie and Renee and their families. Also on Maui: cousins Ted and Marilyn Cleghorn. My son Peter, wife Esther, and family live on Oahu, as well as daughter-in-law Mary Anne Vorfeld, grandson Jeff Vorfeld (and family), and cousins Alva Janssen McDiarmid (and her effervescent Don) and Pat Janssen Clark. I also have plenty cousins, nieces & nephews, as well as many dear friends in all the islands.

What do I do these days? Keep busy. Wear jumpsuits whenever possible . . . maintain the house and yard . . . play cribbage weekly with my buddy, Don Gabe . . . and do light handyman work. Judy and I love to eat out, and potlucks are always popular with us. The photo of Judy and me was taken in 1999 at a volunteer potluck. I do volunteer work from time to time, and I'm primary caregiver for Bear, a cat we adopted from Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue, a local animal rescue organization. I'm also skilled at finding elusive earrings!