DR. JESCO VON PUTTKAMER
to be Honored as the 2008 Distinguished German-American of the Year™
WASHINGTON, DC (October 6, 2008) – Dr. Jesco von Puttkamer of NASA will be honored on December 6, 2008, by the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA® as the Distinguished German-American of the Year™ for 2008. The 22nd Annual Distinguished German-American of the Year™ Awards and Fundraising Gala will be held on Saturday evening, December 6th, in Philadelphia, PA at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein.
The “Distinguished German-American of the Year™ Award” provides recognition for outstanding leadership of Americans of German-speaking ancestry in business, the arts, education, science, politics and society. Prof. Dr. Dipl.-Ing Jesco Freiherr von Puttkamer has had an outstanding career as a pioneer and strong advocate for Human Space Flight. He joined the US Space Agency 46 years ago, shortly after its inception, and is presently a Program Manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC in the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD).
Jesco von Puttkamer came to the US in mid-1962 at the personal invitation of Dr. Wernher von Braun after graduating with a Master’s Degree (Diploma) in Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering from the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) in Aachen, Germany, and joined Wernher von Braun’s NASA Rocket Team in Huntsville, Alabama. He became an engineer on the APOLLO Lunar Landing program starting his career as a member of the SATURN rocket development team at the Aero-Astrodynamics Laboratory. Thereafter, he became involved with the SKYLAB Space Station Program and early Space Shuttle development activities at NASA with increasing responsibilities in engineering and technical management. In 1974, he transferred to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, to assume leadership in the Office of Manned Space Flight (OMSF) for conceiving, initiating, conducting and directing long-range studies of human exploration and development of near-Earth, lunar and interplanetary space.
He was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy by the University of Saarbrücken and the title of a Professor at the Technical High School in Aachen.
In 1997 – 98 von Puttkamer was the focal point at NASA Headquarters for the International Space Shuttle (ISS) program’s Phase I with Russia. Dr. von Puttkamer has received many Awards for his contributions to the SATURN V launch vehicle, APOLLO and SKYLAB Program, among others. In 2004 he received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal and in 2007 a Distinguished NASA Honor Award for successful initiatives of advancing American-Russian cooperation in Space Flight. He has written and lectured extensively on Space Flight and related themes to worldwide audiences, is a widely-known spokesman on Space Flight on German TV screens, and is the author of a large number of books on the subject of Space Flight in German language as well as for many years the author/editor of the section on “Space Flight” in the scientific-technical “McGrawHill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology”. In the late 70’s, he was also a consultant to the Paramount film STAR TREK – The Motion Picture.
Dr. von Puttkamer was born September 22, 1933 in Leipzig. He came to the US in 1962 and became a US citizen in 1967. For his leadership in the Space Program and for his outstanding contributions to fostering German-American relations for many years, we are delighted to honor Prof. Dr. Dipl.-Ing Jesco von Puttkamer.
The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA® (GAHF) was founded in 1977 and chartered in 1978 as the United German-American Committee of the USA, Inc. (UGAC), which is an independent, tax-exempt educational not-for-profit organization. We are working to establish the first national German-American Heritage Center of the USA™ in Washington, DC.
Tickets for the Gala will be $150 per person and includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and dancing. For more information, please contact our national headquarters or visit our website at www.gahfusa.org.
Archive for the ‘German Heritage in the U.S.’ Category
51st Annual German-American Steuben Parade
June 17th, 2008 | Other Contributions, German Heritage in the U.S. | Comment (1)51st Annual German-American Steuben Parade
Saturday, September 20th, 2008 - Noon
Fifth Avenue, New York City
Every year in September, German-Americans from all over the US come together in New York City to celebrate their heritage, the achievements of German settlers in the US, as well as the enduring friendship between the two countries. Led by three Grand Marshals - Hollywood Star Ralf Möller, New York Stock Exchange CEO Duncan Niederauer, and “Candy Bomber” and Berlin Airlift veteran Col. Gail Halverson - the Parade will bring hundreds of music and dance groups to world-famous Fifth Avenue. There will be Trachten groups and carnival masks, historic groups, as well as marksmen. After the Parade, the crowd moves into Central Park for the Annual German-American Friendship Party, where New Yorkers get as close as it gets to a real Oktoberfest without actually flying to Munich.
Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the First Germans in America in April 2008 at Jamestown and Williamsburg
April 24th, 2008 | Other Contributions, German Heritage in the U.S. | No Comments
Coordinated by regional German-American societies with the support of the German Embassy, the festive program served to celebrate and honor America’s German heritage. Guided tours of the newly discovered James Fort, the unveiling of a new National Park Service historic marker at the Jamestown Glasshouse by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Klaus Scharioth, lectures, a German banquet, a concert with early German music and a commemorative church service marked the weekend.
“The 400th anniversary of Jamestown. That means 400 years of America, 400 years of German-American friendship, and a unique, 400-year-old shared history,” Ambassador Scharioth said before more than 200 German-Americans as he unveiled the historic marker at the Jamestown Glasshouse on April 19.
More at http://www.germany.info/relaunch/culture/new/cul_German_400_Jamestown_01_04_2008.html
News: First National German-American Heritage Center of the USA
February 7th, 2008 | German Heritage in the U.S. | Comments (2)WASHINGTON, DC (January 31, 2008) - The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHF) has taken positive steps forward to establish the first national German-American Heritage Center of the USA in downtown Washington, DC. German-Americans from all around the country through their generous donations are making the Heritage Center possible; they have raised $1.75 million in contributions and pledges, so far.
The center will be located at Hockemeyer Hall, a spectacular 1888 Victorian townhouse, known to be one of the most distinctive and historically significant buildings in its neighborhood. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale was finally signed in early November. The closing of Hockemeyer Hall by the GAHF in expected around June 2008.
Having already renovated the exterior of Hockemeyer Hall, the GAHF is looking forward to bringing this historic building back to life for the community of Americans of German-speaking ancestry,that helped shape this country. Originally built by John Hockemeyer, a successful German merchant, Hockemeyer Hall was later expanded to become a businessmen’s club in 1893. It is therefore fitting that it now becomes the home of the German-American Heritage Center of the USA.
Permanent exhibits at the Heritage Center will focus on Immigration, Migration, Jamestown and Germantown to name a few, plus there will be rotating exhibits from around the country. The achievements of German immigrants and their influence in politics, business and culture will be presented. Programs will be developed with leading experts to highlight our rich history.
The total cost for Hockemeyer Hall is approximately $2.1 million. This amount includes the cost for the building with exterior and interior renovations as well as closing costs. To cover the difference between the cost and what has been collected two benefactors have committed to provide repayable loans. This ensures the purchase of the building. Fundraising efforts will need to continue to repay the loan, provide furnishings, establish an endowment of $500,000 to maintain the facility and fund programs and exhibits.
All Americans of German-speaking ancestry are urged to support this project financially. Contributors of $25,000 or more will have their name engraved on the Center’s Wall of Honor. All donations of $100 or more will be listed in a leather-bound book archived at the Center.
More information about the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA can be found at www.gahfusa.org, or they can be contacted toll-free at 866-868-8422.
About the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHF):
The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHF), chartered as the United German-American Committee of the USA, Inc. (UGAC), is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
The German-American Heritage Foundation
January 25th, 2008 | German Heritage in the U.S. | Comment (1)News from the German-American Heritage Foundation:
The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA is dedicated to promoting and preserving the heritage of Americans of German-speaking ancestry.
Margrit B. Krewson will be honored on April 17, 2008 by the organization as the Distinguished German-American of the Year for 2007.
From 1980 until 1998, she served as the German/Dutch Area Specialist in the European Division of the Library of Congress. Prior to that appointment, she held several positions in the Library’s Loan Division. She was responsible for raising funds for three Library of Congress organized exhibits that also traveled to Germany.
During her retirement, she spent an additional six years concluding the Library of Congress’ acquisition of Martin Waldseemüller’s 1507 world map, best known as the birth certificate of America. In addition she facilitated the display of the exhibit, “Treasures from the Saxon State Library” in Miami, and is currently supporting a similar project, “600 Years University of Leipzig,” which will open at the Grolier Club in New York City in 2009.
Margrit Beran Krewson was born in Hamburg, Germany, and was educated in Heidelberg at the undergraduate level. She received an M.A. in Germanic languages and literature from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she was awarded the Buka Prize for outstanding scholarship in Germanic area studies.
Dear Friends,
we want to call your attention to the German-American Hall of Fame (GAMHOF), which was founded in 2005. This organization highlights the achievements of the more than 60 million American of German descent living in the United States and represents the contributions of German-Americans to the daily life and society in the United States.
Ten outstanding individuals have been elected as the initial inductees to the Hall of Fame. Please visit the website www.gamhof.org for more information.
Suburban West Side neighborhood unveils new addition for the Cleveland Plus Campaign: Berea German Village.
The Ohio German American Business Association (OhioGABA), in the friendly streets of this Cleveland’s near West Side Community recently resolved to adopt this racially mixed, culturally diverse neighborhood as a little Alpine Dorf by assisting and promoting European Business and Culture through community-building projects.
Berea, Ohio has a rich European history dating back to the mid 19th century and continues to make history today. As caretakers of a legacy, a Berea German Village would be committed to preserving the integrity and essence of the original ethnic historic district, while encouraging the rehabilitation of existing properties and the creation of new structures to add vitality to the contemporary urban community.
“Berea has a vibrant cultural diversity. We to use ICEAlity to expand the local German Heritage beyond the Labor Day Oktoberfest and ‘ARK in Berea’ eco-museum to include making Berea the ‘German Town’ of Greater Cleveland that will include a sister city in Germany, annual Parade, new displays at the Mahler Museum and a Berea Kristkindl Markt for Christmas”, said American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca . “This will be an asset to Greater Cleveland as a destination for visitors.”
Prof. Wolfgang von Meztler, OhioGABA’s German-American liaison in Berlin says, “Since the the US Network for EXPO2000, OhioGABA members have established themselves here and in Germany in their role as forerunners in sustainable business practices by demanding drastic changes in climate policies. For instance, global warming and renewable energy practices.” Maria Roth, Editor of the GERMANIA Newspaper also states, “Sustainable Development through ICEAlity has long been discussed by OhioGABA members. Subsequently, such scrutiny of the issue has sparked debates on various socio-political levels. It is a hot button topic today that is generating quite the buzz and ultimately has become one of the day’s most important issue for Ohio Government and Businesses.” On November 24th 2007, MYFOX TV-8 WJW personalities Wayne Dawson and Kenny Crompton hosted a segment entitled ‘Neighborhoods’ that highlighted Bob Stark Enterprises views on the European impact on the Greater Cleveland skyline.
Achieves Landmark Status
By Helga Brenner
Surrounded by a sea of multi-storied brick buildings in historic
A self-made man, Conrad Voelcker became a successful printer and publisher. He had married Elizabeth Maibach, a first generation American, whose father, Peter Maibach, was born in
The Murray Hill neighborhood then was an attractive suburb of
The Voelcker family made various changes to the mansion and the décor still reflects the refined tastes and genteel lifestyle of the Voelcker family. Conrad Voelcker’s first wife, Elizabeth Maibach Voelker died in 1919. After Conrad Voelcker’s death in 1930 his house became the home of Theresa Voelker, his daughter, to whom he had left most of his estate. (From her generation onward the family name was spelled without the “c”). Interestingly, among Voelcker’s other bequests he left one thousand dollars to Edenkoben, his birthplace.
Theresa Voelker married Dr. Rudolph Orth, a physician, who in 1921 was appointed a police surgeon. Their daughter, Elisabetha Orth, lived most of her life in the Voelker-Orth homestead. Before her tragic death after a car accident in the 1995 she had established in her will the organization which now runs the museum. For nearly a century the house had been the home of three generations of one German-American family.
As soon as one enters the mansion of the Victorian garden one is transported into another time and age. Many visitors, especially German-Americans who were born in
Fortunately, the museum, which is a testimony to the cultured lifestyle of the Victorian Age, continues to celebrate the heritage of the Voelker Orth family and everyone is welcome to take a tour of the house or attend the delightful events organized by the museum. Whether it is a Maifest, a Harvest and Wine Festival, a musical soiree, a lecture on horticulture or a Victorian Tea, all feel touched by the atmosphere of this lovely Victorian home.
Elisabetha Orth would be pleased to know that in October 2007 the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission awarded the Voelker Orth Museum landmark status.
Voelker Orth Museum Public Hours:
Saturday and Sunday
Bird Sanctuary and
Directions:
Telephone: 718-359-6227
By Subway - No. 7 train to
Website: http://www.vomuseum.org Street; then take one of the following buses:
E-mail: voelkerorthmuseum@nyc.rr.com
On
Literature:
By LIRR – to Murray Hill Station on the
- The History of Murray Hill & the
Voelker Orth House
By James Driscoll (Historian)
-
By James Driscoll
Little pieces of German can be found in a lot of places. With over 42 million German Americans
in the US, you don’t have to look too far for a German person, custom, or something that may
now be a precious memory for you and has made a part of your personal history German. Just
look at the city of New York, for example, where you can find German traces and influences at
almost every street corner. Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and many other towns and
cities have strong German traditions and festivals. Please share with us the local German
history and traditions of your area. Tell us how German culture and people have contributed to
your life and maybe made it a bit more special. And we all know that special things come in all
shapes and sizes, so please don’t think your story has to be the size of New York.
Little pieces of German can be found in a lot of places. Maybe when you were growing up, your next-door neighbor was German and she baked apple cake for you because she knew you loved it so much. Or maybe your town had a German name? With 42 Million German Americans in the US, you don’t have to look far for a German person, custom, or something that may now be a precious memory for you and has made a part of your personal history German.
If so, you’re in good company. Just look at the city of New York, where you can find German traces and influences at almost every street corner. The essay below gives many examples of how Germans have left a mark on the city and still do today. It’s a great read and may start the flow of memories for you. Let them come and write them down for us. We’d love to hear how German culture and people have contributed to your life and maybe made it a bit more special. And we all know that special things come in all shapes and sizes, so please don’t think your story has to be the size of New York. We bet there is a pearl in your story as long as it’s close to your heart, so please share it with us. Read the rest of this entry »