Hans G. Rothschild

Born May 8th, 1926, in Cologne, Germany, Hans Günter Rothschild started life in uncertain times. Germany had lost a World War. Growing resentment gave way to unimaginable cruelty unleashed in Germany against Jews. By 1939, though he strived to be an exemplary German, like his father and his father before him, the only option was to leave.  His parents sent him with his Jewish classmates and teacher to London, England. After the German’s began bombing London, he lived with a generous family in the countryside.

His parents soon had to flee their home in Cologne with what they could carry and made their way to Uruguay.  Once settled in Montevideo, they sent for Hans. Every day a ship arrived from England, his father would go to the dock to see if his son was on that ship.  On the fateful day his ship arrived, Hans remembered the first words from his father being, “you need a haircut.”

Starting life over again, learning a new language and culture meant Hans had to do what he could to survive. He had wanted to be a doctor like his father, but in order to help his family, he cut his education short. His father could not practice medicine in Uruguay and it wasn’t long before he lost his father to Leukemia.  Still, Hans persevered, and eventually met the love of his life in a small town on the northern border with Brazil. Elva and Hans married on January 5, 1957. 

After landing a job with J.I. Case, a global manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment, Hans was promoted and transferred to Lima, Peru. By then, he already had two daughters, Gabriela and Ana Lia, and would soon be adding a son, Ric. In his time living in Peru, Hans travelled all over South America for business, making not only a lengthy list of acquaintances, but also lifelong friends.  Though it wasn’t easy to be away from home, he had a job to do, and eventually this job got him to yet another continent. North America. 

Racine, Wisconsin, was a sharp contrast from what Hans and family had been exposed to in Lima, Peru: American culture, a new language, and frigid conditions. Regardless, they fit in well and Hans continued to make a name for himself.

After six years in Racine, Hans was asked to transfer back to South America, only this time it was to somewhere he had never been in all his travels: Brazil. With yet another language and culture to learn and understand, Hans set out to find a way to succeed. 

Life in São Paulo, Brazil, had some wonderful moments, but unfortunately, it brought tragedy as well. The loss of his daughter, Ana Lia, to breast cancer at only 27. Then, his wife was also diagnosed with cancer. She thankfully survived, despite unthinkable sadness. He later retired and moved back to the U.S.

Miami, Florida, is where Hans and Elva called home for 27 years, where they were surrounded by many friends, new and old. Going to the beach, volunteering at a tennis tournament, traveling the world, cruising the open seas, and constant outings with friends and family. Finally, some well-deserved rest from a lifetime of perseverance. 

And yet, life wasn’t done with them just yet. Their remaining daughter and first-born, Gabriela, eventually developed early-onset Alzheimer’s and dementia, and after almost a decade of fighting the horrible disease, she passed away. Dealing with the loss of a child is unthinkable, dealing with the loss of two is crippling. But he was always there, ready to help. 

It was during this time when Gaby was battling Alzheimer’s that they moved from Miami to Louisville, Colorado, to be near their remaining child, Ric, and where they lived their remaining 4+ years.

The last straw seemed to be the loss of the love of his life, Elva, with whom he spent 64 years of marriage.  Unexpectedly, Elva preceded him in death on November 13, 2020.  A couple months later, on January 17, 2021, he went peacefully in his sleep, with his son at his side.  He was almost 95.

Even in the midst of unimaginable loss and tragedy he never faced life with a downtrodden demeanor. Hans was absolute in his joy for life, and for those in his life. Yes, he always did what had to be done to provide for his family. His life was lived with a sense of optimism and perseverance taught him an enviable work ethic, determination, and to love those around him. 

In spite of life’s challenges, he built a happy and full life. His ability to make friends was a quality which followed Hans around the globe.  If you think Germans don’t have a sense of humor, you never met Hans. He was always ready with a joke or quick retort, even in the midst of difficult situations. He prided himself on being able to retell jokes and funny stories. Working at Case gave him such a sense of obvious pride.  He was able to provide for his family, and give them a good life. 

He will be remembered as an amazing man, a good man, a man who is loved by many friends the world over.

He is survived by his son, Ric Rothschild and his wife Pauline, their two children, Nicolas and Andrew Rothschild, as well as Gaby’s children, Stephanie Giordani, with her newborn son, Noah, who Hans met through FaceTime, and Oliver Rothschild Pernt.

In lieu of flowers or money, please consider donating in his name to:

Elevations Home Health & Hospice. A check can be sent to 80 Garden Center, Suite 108, Broomfield, CO, 80020 with his name in the memo. More information at: www.elevationhhh.com, 720-608-2181.  

For many months, their wonderful staff provided him love, care, and a human touch.  This was especially endearing to him, his wife and family. Words can’t describe the impact this had on us all, especially during the lengthy quarantines ordered by this pandemic.