Obituaries

Ludwig Joseph Weber (Lou) died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 24, 2010.  He was born January 17, 1931 in New York City, the son of German immigrants.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ludwig Bernard Weber and Lena Sommer Weber, and by his sister, Helen Weber Kuhnke.

He served in the US Navy from 1951-54, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Mediterranean. He loved telling the story of how he traveled on leave over Christmas, from Italy to Germany, with none of the required border passes, to meet all his relatives for the first time. After discharge from the Navy, he received a BSEE degree from Syracuse University. Lou then worked for RCA Corp. in Camden, N.J. where Lou and Ann started their family.  For the rest of his career he worked for IBM Corp. in Philadelphia, Kingston, NY, and Charlotte.

After his retirement, Lou gave his time and energy to the ministries that were dear to him.  He served on the boards of McCreesh Place, Shepherd’s Center South, and CMC-Mercy Community Advisory Council. At a friend’s suggestion he introduced the teaching of basic computer classes to the Shepherd’s Center, helping hundreds of seniors overcome their fear of computers. He found great fulfillment in volunteering at a Loaves and Fishes pantry and in repairing furniture at the Habitat Re-Store.

When he saw a need he was quick to act. Upon reading about the arrival in Charlotte of many “Lost Boys” from Sudan, he immediately set out to gather used computers and to re-furbish them for these refugees.

Lou was known as a man who could fix almost anything – from lawn mowers to computers.  He enjoyed spending hours in his workshop just “puttering.” Together, Lou and his wife enjoyed many travels during their retirement, including trips to Asia, Europe, and South America. They particularly enjoyed their years with Friendship Force.

A long-time member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, he was involved in many of its activities. He will be remembered as being “Juan Valdez” in his coffee ministry role, and for helping with Room in the Inn, and with any other activity where he was needed.

Lou is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann Tutrinoli Weber, his children Carolyn Weber of Atlanta, GA, Jeanne Scurry and husband Charles of Macon, GA, and David Weber and wife Mindy Partee of Charlotte, and by his grandchildren, Ben and Bonnie Scurry, to whom he was known as Grizzly Gramps. He was surrogate grandpa (“Opa Lou”) to his little neighbors, Max and Nico.

A memorial Mass will be at offered at St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 507 S. Tryon Street on Wednesday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m.  The family will receive visitors at a reception in the church hall following the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McCreesh Place, 2120 N. Davidson St. Charlotte, NC 28205, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, 1133 N. Wendover Rd., Charlotte 28211, or St. Peter’s Catholic Church (Restoration Fund), 507 S. Tryon St. Charlotte 29203.