Uwe M. Kaulfers Sr's Obituary
Uwe Max Kaulfers(1941-2015)In the coldest of winters, Uwe was born to Irma and Uwe Kaulfers on December 8, 1941 in Berlin, Germany. Sadly he never had the chance to know his father as he passed away during WWII. After the war, his mother remarried Heinz Nusken, which brought brothers, Peer, Gunnar and Holger and sisters, Daniela, Skarlet, Andrea and Isabell. During his childhood he assumed much of the responsibilities to care for his younger siblings. His mother, Brothers Gunnar and Holger, preceded him in death. He was raised with the biblical view of the resurrection and that all believers in Jesus will once again be reunited with their loved ones. Uwe found great comfort in this. Uwe moved to the United States in the early 1960's and set down roots in Peoria, Illinois where he was employed as a chef at numerous hotels and restaurants. He later moved to Davenport, Iowa and then onto Las Vegas, Nevada where he continued to do what he loved the most. Uwe also spent time in Santo Domingo, My chronology may be off, but eventually he moved onto Torrance, California where he and Rosita welcomed Uwe Jr. Jr. was without a doubt the most important person in his life, always encouraging and supporting him. Jr.worked with his dad at each of his restaurants. During his in Oregon, he touched many lives of his friends and especially his employees. He moved to the area in 1989 and opened Pastas Ristorante in West Linn, which he owned and was Executive Chef. He also owned and was Executive Chef of the Rivershore Bar & Grill in Oregon City from 1999 until he sold the business in 2004. Although nearly every employee he ever had would tell you he may have been the most difficult person to work with, each would tell you that beyond his tough and stubborn exterior he truly had a heart of gold. He always went out of his way to help anyone in need and would literally give you the shirt off his back if he thought it would benefit you. He gave countless chances and job opportunities to people who didn't necessarily deserve it, but since he always found a way to see the good in people, giving someone the benefit of the doubt was how he chose to treat those around him. I could say he was a man of few words, but whether you were just a first timer in one of his bars, a regular customer or one of his countless friends or employees, we all knew that was NOT the case. Once he got started, there was no telling where the conversation would go and when, or if, it may ever come to an end... The stories of his travels from around the world were endless and always entertaining to listen to. We didn't always understand everything he was telling us, but each adventure he experienced was always entertaining. He hosted many Skat tournaments for the German Club of Portland as well as competing in them across the country. Uwe had a great love for German soccer & the Miami Dolphins. Sadly, although somehow fitting, Uwe's life came to an end in one his former employee's and great friends bar doing his second favorite activity, telling one of his great stories as he was preparing to travel to Las Vegas to compete in yet another Skat tournament. His character, his cooking & everything that made our favorite German chef will forever live on in the hearts of all who had the honor of knowing this unforgettable man. Uwe, we will miss you. A memorial service gathering will be held at the Banquet Room of the Rivershore Bar and Grill on Thursday, January 22nd, 2015 - 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to Uwe Kaulfers Jr.Chase Bank, West Linn OR (checks or money orders accepted). UWE'S EULOGY by Peter R. SchneiderA CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE A friend never wants anything in return, a friend gives a lot without expectations... .that was Uwe. Besides been a very good friend to me and my family, he taught me everything I needed to know in order for me to get a head start in the culinary field. He helped me out and my family TREMENDOUSLY!! Without him, his support, his knowledge, I honestly don't know where me and my family would be in this world! Uwe always found a way to make something out of nothing, whether it may be out of life or food. He had his own ideas and he was indeed a high tempered Chef @ times, especially when things didn't go right in the kitchen, POTS & PANS went flying everywhere. But that was kind of just the salt in the soup and we all needed that. Not only us, but Little Peter too ( Peter Boekelmann) ha ha ha When I worked with Uwe @ Jumer's Castle Lodge in Iowa, things were a little different in the kitchen compared to nowadays... it was a lot nicer, a lot better working environment. We had neither corporations nor lawyers looking over our shoulders. And Uwe liked it that way and so did I. What the Chef said was LAW!! Not even the General Manager would interfere with matters of the kitchen and if there happened to be management that was not up to par, according to our opinion, he was gone... . Ha ha haUwe never shied away from praise when praise was due. He always maintained a great moral environment amongst all of us in the kitchen. But in the same token, when a mistake was made, he made certain that you knew about it and scolded you for it. He kept his opinion loud and clear and by the next day it was all forgotten, starting a brand new day, unless you messed up again and then THE WRATH OF UWE was heard throughout the kitchen, dining room and Hotel!! Ha ha ha, But he never held grudges... .My respect for Uwe held very high standards!! He sure was worth it. His friendship, his personality, his charisma, his smile will always has a very special place in my heart. Uwe was definitely one that I can say that has been and will always be MY BUDDY, MY FRIEND, unlike no other. I will miss him... I will never forget him... .especially when I hear the song MOON RIVER... that was his favorite song. LIVE ON MY FRIEND!!! GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!!! Written with Love by Peter R. Schneider (Leader of German Engineering :')
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