1929
Gunther
2022
Gunther Gustav Rieckmann
June 18, 1929 — July 22, 2022
WILMINGTON - Gunther Gustav Rieckmann of Wilmington, NC passed away on Friday July 22, 2022 after reaching the age of 93 years old. After months of failing health, he died peacefully within his home in Wilmington, NC surrounded by his family.
Gunther was born on June 18, 1929 in Hamburg, Germany to the Elfriede Krolikowski Rieckmann and Gustav Rieckmann. He was born and raised in Germany. He came to the United States in his mid 30’s. When he came to America he worked in his cousin’s deli in Bronx, NY. Short time afterwards he traveled to California for work in his original trade as an automobile mechanic. While working in California he answered a classified ad to work for Neuwirth’s Volkswagen in Wilmington, NC. He came to Wilmington with limited English and after a year of working he became shop foreman. At the end of 1968 he met his wife Janet Voss Rieckmann and they were married in March 8, 1969.
In 1971 he opened his own automobile repair shop, Volkswagen Foreign Car Hospital (aka East Coast Foreign Car Hospital), which was successful for 26 years.
In the early 80’s he decided to build a 45’ ft sailboat from mold up. It was a lifelong dream of his. In 1991 it was launched and christened Finally. For many years he enjoyed spending time on his boat with family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gustav and Elfriede (Krolikowski) Rieckmann and his daughter Kimberly Rieckmann Shiver.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet Voss Rieckmann, his son Dirk Gunther Rieckmann and wife Nancy (Alabama), his daughter Tammy Rieckmann Kennedy and husband Ron (Wilmington) and 8 grandchildren: Jenny Kennedy Henderson and husband Daniel (Poland), Edmund Carl Kennedy and wife, Noel (Wilmington), Ryan Gunther Kennedy and wife Caitlin(Wilmington), Alexander Dean Kennedy (Mebane), Johnathan Dirk Kennedy (Wilmington) and Marcus Cole Kennedy(Wilmington), Daniel Pannek and Thomas Pannek. 7 Great-grandchildren – Landen Holland, Ethan Henderson, Mason Kennedy, Benjamin Kennedy, Connor Kennedy, Lila Kennedy and Mariah Kennedy
Gunther was an amazing husband, fantastic father, awesome grandfather and great-father and a great friend to all. He will be sorely missed
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 118 N. 3rd Ave, Kure Beach, NC from 12pm – 4pm.
Aquamation Services entrusted to Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.
Gunther was born on June 18, 1929 in Hamburg, Germany to the Elfriede Krolikowski Rieckmann and Gustav Rieckmann. He was born and raised in Germany. He came to the United States in his mid 30’s. When he came to America he worked in his cousin’s deli in Bronx, NY. Short time afterwards he traveled to California for work in his original trade as an automobile mechanic. While working in California he answered a classified ad to work for Neuwirth’s Volkswagen in Wilmington, NC. He came to Wilmington with limited English and after a year of working he became shop foreman. At the end of 1968 he met his wife Janet Voss Rieckmann and they were married in March 8, 1969.
In 1971 he opened his own automobile repair shop, Volkswagen Foreign Car Hospital (aka East Coast Foreign Car Hospital), which was successful for 26 years.
In the early 80’s he decided to build a 45’ ft sailboat from mold up. It was a lifelong dream of his. In 1991 it was launched and christened Finally. For many years he enjoyed spending time on his boat with family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gustav and Elfriede (Krolikowski) Rieckmann and his daughter Kimberly Rieckmann Shiver.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet Voss Rieckmann, his son Dirk Gunther Rieckmann and wife Nancy (Alabama), his daughter Tammy Rieckmann Kennedy and husband Ron (Wilmington) and 8 grandchildren: Jenny Kennedy Henderson and husband Daniel (Poland), Edmund Carl Kennedy and wife, Noel (Wilmington), Ryan Gunther Kennedy and wife Caitlin(Wilmington), Alexander Dean Kennedy (Mebane), Johnathan Dirk Kennedy (Wilmington) and Marcus Cole Kennedy(Wilmington), Daniel Pannek and Thomas Pannek. 7 Great-grandchildren – Landen Holland, Ethan Henderson, Mason Kennedy, Benjamin Kennedy, Connor Kennedy, Lila Kennedy and Mariah Kennedy
Gunther was an amazing husband, fantastic father, awesome grandfather and great-father and a great friend to all. He will be sorely missed
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 118 N. 3rd Ave, Kure Beach, NC from 12pm – 4pm.
Aquamation Services entrusted to Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gunther Gustav Rieckmann, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Sunday, August 14, 2022
12:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)
Kure Beach Community Center
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors