Hahnemann, Richard (1883-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Mar 11 p. 7

Birth date: 1883 Feb 18

text of obituary:

RICHARD HAHNEMANN

Richard Hahnemann was born Feb.18, 1883, in Bernburg, Germany, the eldest child of August and Johanna Hahnemann. Here he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Nicoli Church, and grew to young manhood.

As all other young men in Germany, he was required to serve his government in military service for two years. Showing an aptitude for the care of the sick, he was assigned to serve as orderly for his company.

After completing his period of service, he came to America in 1910, spending two years in hospital work in Philadelphia, then going to Chicago in 1912. Here he took up work in Grant Hospital, caring for the sick in various ways, but especially as the doctors’ assistant. He served faithfully only two months less than 35 years.

He was a man of few words, but very active in his nature. It was necessary to remove his tonsils when three years of age, and during the operation his vocal cords were injured resulting in a slight impairment of speech. But it seemed this only led him to devote himself more to the helping of others in their afflictions, and today many can testify how they were helped through his zealous devotion to his calling. He often deprived himself of many personal pleasures and bodily comforts, never sparing himself in order to devote his talents to the patients entrusted to his care. He was truly a Christian doctor at heart.

He was a great lover of music, and after joining the German Lutheran church in Chicago in 1912, he became a part of the male chorus there. This was an organization of over 200 members, and with it he made many tours to other large cities to sing before great audiences, and all of these he enjoyed greatly.

On June 10, 1923, he was married to Frances P. Preheim who was following her profession of nursing in Chicago, having taken her training in the Deaconess hospital at Beatrice, Nebraska, The ceremony was performed at the home of her parents near Marion, S. D., by her brother, Rev. S. P. Preheim. Since that time they had made their home in Chicago, where they enjoyed a very happy married life for over 24 years. Next June they would have celebrated the silver anniversary of their marriage.

In 1927 they made a trip to the homeland Germany, visiting his parents who were then yet living, his brothers and sister and other relatives. This was the only time he saw them in the last 37 years, but nevertheless they remained close to his heart. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one brother-in-law.

He is survived by his brothers Edward and wife in the English Zone of Germany, Emil and wife, Paul and wife, Fritz and wife, also one widowed sister Elizabeth, all in the Russian Zone of Germany. All have suffered greatly through the war, and he was much concerned about them, doing all in his power to assist them by sending food and clothing. It would seem that he was chosen as the member of his family to come to America, so that there might be someone here to assist them in the sufferings they had to endure.

In later years a painful heart ailment developed that caused him and his wife much anxiety. On Feb. 29 he suffered a severe attack, and about fifteen minutes later, at 8:30 p. m., before he could be reached by the physician summoned by the faithful wife at his side, he passed away. His mind was clear and he was able to speak dearly until the last moments, peacefully falling asleep.

Thus a life of active, faithful service came to a close. His passing is mourned by his bereaved widow and her many relatives here in America, and will be a great shock to the members of his family in Europe. The many floral offerings by the doctors and staff with whom he worked in the hospital, the many he helped there, and his many friends testify that they feel that a true friend has gone.

His remains were taken to South Dakota for burial. Funeral services, were held March 4 at Salem (South) church near Freeman, with the local pastor, Rev. W. K. Classen, in charge. As he was such a great lover of music, it was very appropriate that the music should be furnished by the men's chorus, many of whom were relatives of Mrs. Hahnemann. Interment was then made in the church cemetery, beside the graves of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Preheim, Sr.