Obituary of Erwin Otto Salbach

Our beloved patriarch, Erwin Otto Salbach, passed away on October 6th, 2023 at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. He was born in Leer Ostfriesland, Germany on July 4th, 1933.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Erwin K. Salbach and Luise M. Salbach; brothers, Hans Salbach, Heinz-Dieter Salbach, and Kurt Salbach; sisters, Marly Goossmann, Anneliese Hemmen and Gertraud Oltmanns. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Lorraine Salbach, his son, Erwin Salbach III, (his wife) Lisa, daughter, Rhonda Renee Salbach; granddaughter, Mallory Renee Ness, (husband) Brenton, their children, Isaac, Eli, Benjamin, and Noah; granddaughter, Elise Nicole, her children, Alexis, Annalise, Raeleigh, McKenzie and Atticus. He is also survived by his sister Ursula Peuker, (husband) Siegfried in Brake, Germany, and many nephews and nieces. 

Professionally, he began with the Volkswagen Factory in Wolfsburg, Germany in 1948 and came to the United States of America in 1960 on a contract with Volkswagen Germany. He arrived in New York Harbor on the Ship SS United States. His name is documented on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor on Ellis Island in the New York Harbor. His destination was Shreveport, Louisiana, where he met his love, Lorraine, and they were married in 1963. He retired from Volkswagen of America in 1988. He was also an entrepreneur with an engineer's mind and involved himself in various business projects and successful real estate ventures. Becoming a citizen of the United States of America was one of his proudest moments. 

He cherished his family and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed being in the company of his dog pal, Sookie. In addition, he enjoyed being surrounded by nature, and he was an avid hiker. He took pleasure in traveling, skiing, cycling, reading, sailing, and camping. He loved living in the Colorado mountains and lived his dream. He and Lorraine traveled extensively domestically and internationally and they enjoyed their lives together to the fullest. 

He was a man of integrity and is dearly loved and respected. Our hearts mourn, and he is greatly missed.

Private services will be held at a later date.