In Memoriam

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 On the morning of Monday, October 14, 2024, William “Bill” Albert Vogel, passed peacefully in his home of 46 years with his loving wife of 36 years, Sonja (Opperman), by his side. Preceded in death by his parents William Alfred Vogel and Martha Stehman Vogel and his first wife, Marianne (Schwalb) Vogel, and siblings Frederick Vogel, Richard Vogel, and Mary Vogel Farley. Our beloved “Uncle Bill” as he was known by so many, leaves behind a loving legacy and caring family including Sonja; stepchildren Marie Skolnick (Curtis), Paul Patrick, and Wendy Griffith (Brian); four step-grandchildren Annika and Olivia Griffith and Jason and Sara Skolnick; and numerous nieces and nephews including Fred Vogel (Mary), Harry Vogel, Martha Taishoff (late-Brad), Patty Vogel (John), Bill Vogel (Patti), David Vogel (Jill), Frank Farley (Jeanine), John Farley (Olga), Patrick Farley (Janet), Mike Farley (Mimi), Michael Browning (Michiyo), cousins Daniel Edwards (Terry), Holly Edwards (Jeff); Bill, Carolyn, and Glenn Engle; son Scott Hering (Sandy), and their children Chase and Kylie Hering.

Bill led an accomplished and full life over his 98 years. Born in Washington, DC on July 9, 1926, Bill graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1945. He attended The University of Maryland and in 1951 earned a Civil Engineering degree and went on to earn both a Masters Degree in Physics from Johns Hopkins University and a degree in Meteorology from Penn State University.

Bill achieved the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF) as a non-pilot reflecting his level of service and dedication. Bill received the decoration of Bronze Star during his active duty in Vietnam for his meritorious service as the Commander of Detachment 36, 30th Weather Squadron in 1968 and 1969. The list of Bill’s military related and professional accomplishments is extraordinary and led to a life of good friends and great stories. His service to our country included active duty, reserve, and civilian duty from 1944 – 1996.

 Bill retired in 1996 and never slowed down. Bill and Sonja travelled the world with frequent trips in the United States to towns like Helen, GA, and Massanutten, VA with dear friends and internationally to Germany and other parts of Europe to visit with friends and relatives. Bill was a member of the Arminius Masonic Lodge #25 in Takoma Park, a member of numerous German-American organizations in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, and a member of multiple State Societies. Bill was a fixture on the campus of the University of Maryland and all but established residence in Cole Field House and Byrd Stadium to cheer on his beloved Terps and sing along with the Maryland fight song. He often travelled down Tobacco Road to root on the basketball team during the ACC Tournament. An avid sports fan with incredible recall for any game, any play, or any statistic, when he wasn’t at a game, you could be sure he would be tuned in on the radio or TV to cheer on the Terps and Baltimore Orioles while the next day, with anyone he knew, regaling in victory or commiserating in defeat. The only things Bill loved more were his family and friends.

Bill was as an authentic a person as this world has known. He never knew a stranger and made friends with ease. He was always up for a good story, a good meal, a good joke, a lively discussion on political events, and a good old-fashioned sing-along. Proud of his German heritage, he had a love for German food, beer, and music. When surrounded by friends, family and pets, he was always at peace and never in a better mood. Bill and Sonja’s backyard July 4th picnics, holiday gatherings, and parties are the stuff of legend with each including a bounty of cold drinks, grilled bratwurst, and dozens of pot-luck dishes and desserts. All you needed to do was follow the sounds of laughter to his home in Columbia or to the farmhouse in Howard County to join in on the fun.

Erika Franziska Lengenfelder, 88, of St. Leonard, Maryland, entered eternal rest on May 28, 2024, after suffering complications from a stroke.     

Born in Aalen, Germany in July 1935, she was the daughter of August and Anna Schur.  Erika emigrated by herself at the age of fifteen to Muskegon, Michigan leaving behind her family in Germany to live with her aunt and uncle.  After years of correspondence, Franz “Schneckle” found his way across the pond, and they married in 1957. Erika relished her years as the wife of an Airman First Class, moving from New Jersey to France and back again with two boys in tow.  

Erika was a proud mother who took great pride in her responsibilities at home and in the community.  She was a wonderful cook and can be remembered for her legendary potato salad and sauerkraut. Erika was an avid singer and was a member of several choirs, most recently with St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Fredrick, Maryland.  Erika also sang with the Washington Sängerbund and participated for years in the many social activities of the club. She was also a longtime member of the Concord Club of Washington, D.C., enjoying frequent day trips and luncheons. Formerly of New Carrollton, Maryland, she volunteered as an election judge and sang in the choir at St. Bernard’s Church in Riverdale, Maryland.  Erika retired from the University of Maryland College Park as an assistant within the Materials Science and Engineering Department.

Erika had a beautiful smile and enjoyed being the life of the party, entertaining folks with her famous head-stand, cartwheel, or playing the accordion.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her “Schneckle” gardening, hiking, or just sitting in the garden watching the birds and small animals. Erika had strong faith and found comfort in prayer.

Left behind to cherish her memories are her husband of 67 years, Franz, sons John (Guan Ling) of St. Leonard, Maryland, Michael (Kimberly) of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and David (Eileen Jacqueline) of Crofton, Maryland.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Erika is also survived by her brother, Alfred Schur of Unterkochen, Germany, and was preceded in death by her sister Annaliese Hägele of Fachsenfeld, Germany.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 105 Vianney Lane, Prince Frederick, Maryland, 20678.  Prior to the service, a visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. and the internment will follow the mass at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a one-time donation of your choosing may be offered to St. John Vianney Catholic Church here: https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/MD888

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth In Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

We have been notified that, Helga Vest, a longtime member of the Washington Saengerbund passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on April 10, 2024. She was 97, just two months before her 98th birthday.

Helga joined the Washington Saengerbund as an active singer in 1978. Later she also became a member of the Concord Club of Washington, DC. Helga was born in Berlin, Germany and loved to sing and enjoy the Saengerbund's concerts, dances and especially Fasching at Mardi Gras time.

She is survived by her Son Larry and her daughter Inge. Her obituary is published at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-va/helga-vest-11766062.

With our condolences to the family.

It is with deep sadness to let you know that our longtime member Fritz Buscher died on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at his home in Leisure World. He was 94.

Fritz joined the Saengerbund as an active singer in 1958, one of the last ones whose membership reaches back to the 1950s. A few years later he met his wife Marita at their workplace. Both loved to sing, and she too quickly became part of the Saengerbund. They got married in June 1962.
Both have been unforgettable members of the Saengerbund, as well as of the Concord Club. 

They were not only active singers for many years, but also were most helpful when it came to club activities. With Marita always at his side, 

Fritz and Marita could be found among the participants having a good time. Eventually age and medical issues caught up and they had to slow down their activities.

The funeral service will be on Tuesday November 7 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 15661 Norbeck Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Phone 301-924-0067. The Saengerbund is going to sing.

Flowers may be sent through Aspen Hill Florist, phone 301-460-4900; they make deliveries to the church.

We are sad having to say goodbye to Fritz, and extend our deepest sympathy to his loving wife Marita.

UPDATE: If you plan to attend the post-funeral reception at Leisure World, please email maritabuscher@yahoo.com to get on the list for the security gate.

It is with sadness to announce that Margaret Moeller unexpectedly died on July 21, 2023 after surgery. She was 73. She and her husband Werner Moeller became members of the Saengerbund in 1994. They were also members of the Concord Club of Washinton D.C. Margaret did not sing in the chorus but was always available when the Saengerbund needed a helping hand.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Sunday, July 30, 2023, from 2 to 4 pm and at St. Andrew Apostle Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD, on Monday, July 31, 2023, from 9:30-10:30 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Our condolences and sincere sympathy for Werner and the family.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our wonderful member and friend Josef ‘Sepp’ Schnabl on Saturday, July 8th 2023. He passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Fairfax, VA. He was 90 years old. Sepp was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Julienne (Julie) Schnabl.

Sepp was born in Sudetenland and, via Canada, immigrated to the United States in 1964. He settled in Fairfax, VA where he made his home. 

He made certain to be part of the German community and found it in his beloved singing society, the Washington Sängerbund, and in the Concord Club of Washington, DC. He made lifelong friendships and kept traditions alive. He loved to sing and enjoy a good German beer at many Concerts, Oktoberfests, Faschings, and Christmas parties.

His never ending energy made him a stalwart in both, the Saengerbund and the Concord Club, where he served on the Saengerbund board as Hausmeister (caretaker), and as Trustee of the Concord Club continuously since 1985. He was also a member of the board of the former German Orphan Home in Upper Marlbor, MD until it closed its doors. As one member noted "The world is a poorer place without Sepp!" He shall be missed dearly!

See Sepp‘s obituary.

With our deepest sympathy to his daughters Rita and Susanne and families.

There will be a memorial celebration on Friday, August 18th 2023 at 2pm, Stacy Sherwood Community Center, 3750 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030. In lieu of flowers, Sepp desired that contributions be made to the Washington Sängerbund, 2434 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007, or the website www.saengerbund.org
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epp and Julienne will be laid to rest in a private service at Prospect Hill Cemetery on August 20, 2023.

We mourn the loss of an active singer. Camilla Rudolph died unexpectedly on February 18, 2023. She was 80. She suffered heart failure during a medical procedure, lost consiousness and went into a coma. She never recovered and died the next day.

Camilla joined the Washington Saengerbund in 2013 and became an active singer with the sopran section. She was an artist and had a great interest in German choral music.

With our sincere condolences to her sister Garcia and the family.

We share with deep sadness that Mary Stradley tragically passed away on February 10, 2023 at Fairfax Hospital. She was 68. 

Mary has been a long-time, faithful member of both the Washington Saengerbund and the Concord Club. She sang with the chorus, but also served as Membership Chair and Entertainment Chair on both boards of directors. 

We shall miss her dearly.