Hans Graff, Dec 3, 2021, Boulder Creek
Hans Nissen Graff died Friday evening Dec 3, 2021, at his apartment in Boulder Creek, California. He was 73 years old. Hans was born to a military family in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1948. Duty assignments for the family included locations at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Ft. Belvoir in Virginia, Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas, Ft. Ord in California, Ft. Huachuca in Arizona, Drake/Edwards Kaserne in Germany, Falls Church in Virginia, and Ft. Knox in Kentucky.
Upon graduation from Fort Knox High School, Class of 1966, Hans attended and graduated from Norwich University, a premier military academy, in Vermont, the Class of 1970. His first duty assignment was Vietnam as a platoon leader with C Company, 1/506th Infantry, attached to the 101st Airborne Division. Hans proudly wore the “Screaming Eagles” Divisional Combat patch as his permanent right sleeve indicator for the rest of his 4-year Army career.
Returning to Santa Cruz, CA in 1972 Hans established roots and married Janet Loesch in 1973. They had two children, Todd now 47, and Traci now 43. After a divorce around 1981, Hans married Elizabeth Weidmann in 1986 which sadly ended as well a few years later. Hans excelled in the lumber business and spent his career working for several companies in and around Santa Cruz.
After hip replacement surgery in 2010, Hans maintained close social ties with friends associated with the local Veterans groups, including Cousin Jan Graff of Santa Cruz. He also enjoyed gaming on his computer with friends which gave him hours of enjoyment. Hans lived life on his own terms, enjoying fishing, poker with his friends in Boulder Creek, and connecting with family.
In 2014 he retired from Economy Lumber Company of Campbell, CA, where he was one of the senior building products reps. He eventually moved to Boulder Creek and lived out the rest of his years among the towering redwood trees in this beautiful mountain town located just north of the historical family center of Santa Cruz, CA.
Hans was especially proud to be a grandfather to 7-year-old Reyna Ochoa, his daughter Traci’s child of Breckenridge, Colorado. Although basically limited to his apartment in his last few months, Hans continued to maintain important contacts with friends and family through social media on his computer.
Hans is survived by his daughter Traci (Ricardo Ochoa) with granddaughter Reyna, son Todd (John Payne), sister Christina, brother Stan (Pamela Whitworth), and countless cousins in California, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Denmark.
Military Memorial Service for Hans Graff will be held June 3rd, 2022, at 330pm, Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Cut Off Road, Seaside, CA 93955. A scattering of ashes at sea will be held the next day.
Thank You and Blessings – Traci Graff Ochoa
Dear Family:
I had the pleasure of having Hans as my roommate during
our freshman year second semester and I have many warm
memories of the time we spent together. Just a terrific guy
with a great sense of humor and pleasant demeanor, the
type that seem to be in very short supply any more.
May Hans rest in peace and I hope all his friends and family
be given the grace to recover from their loss.
Walter Legan, P.E. (Retired)
Norwich University Class of 1970
Orlando, Florida
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father. I knew Hans at Norwich University. After graduation, we all went our separate ways and I lost contact with him. Years later we reconnected through the internet. I consider Hans a good friend and I’m so proud of his military service in Vietnam. God bless him and your family.
We all lost a fine Norwich man. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and Norwich buddies. May he now Rest in Peace. RADM Rich Schneider, Norwich President Emeritus
I remember Hans as a great friend and a fine man. As others have said we lost touch after graduation and missed seeing him at our reunions. My best wishes and prayers to your family in this difficult time.
Dennis Stone
NU ‘70
Hans was a friend to all always with a smile. Having proudly served his country for years he was a veteran and true patriot in every sense of the word. Our prayers go with his friends and especially his family. Rest in peace, Hans. Your legacy lives on.
I was greatly saddened to learn of Hans death. I remember him as a great friend and a fine man. As others have mentioned we lost touch at the graduation and I always hope to see him at our reunions . My best wishes and prayers at this difficult time.
I was greatly saddened to learn of Hans death. I remember him as a classmate, a great friend, and a fine man. As others have mentioned I lost track of Hans after graduation and always hoped he would be at our reunions. My best wishes and prayers to you during this difficult time.
Always disheartening to hear of another Norwich grad passing. Means we all are getting closer to the light and eternal life.
I didn’t know Hans as he was 2 years ahead of me @ Norwich but I take note and am sorry to hear of his passing.
I’m hoping his family is celebrating his life and thankful for all those time they got to hear about his time @ Norwich.
-stew
NU Class of ’72
Norwich HONOR, Together, Forever
I had several English classes with Hans and remember him being outgoing and ready to help fellow students. I am saddened to hear of his passing and hope all of his family will know that he is missed.
Mauri C. Korhonen
Class of 1970