Dr. Ralph von Tresckow Napp

Dr. Ralph von Tresckow Napp was born on September 5, 1921 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He got his B.A. in sociology from the University of Alabama, his master's and doctorate degrees from Duke University. He did post-graduate work in American Studies and in Freudian Analysis at the Maximilian Universitaet in Muenchen, Germany where he met his wife, Hannelore. During World War II he served from Normandy to Germany- participating in four major battles with the 4th Infantry Division - returning home in 1946. He served as a Lt. (paratrooper) in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean Conflict. He was retired from Walter Reed Hospital after a parachute accident. He taught at the University of Maryland Overseas, East Carolina University, James Madison University and Winston Salem State University, gave lectures at Heidelberg Universitaet and Maximilian Universitaet. After 30 years of teaching he retired as professor of sociology and anthropology. He published a well received book with a German professor about their combined war experiences as enemies. He shared his knowledge in many academic journals during his teaching time. David Riesman, who was the subject of his dissertation, became not only a mentor but a friend. They corresponded all through Riesman's life at Harvard. In 1987 he was awarded the great honor to teach at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey where the family moved until 1989. During the latter part of his academic career he trained as a psychotherapist at Baptist Hospital and later on joined Piedmont Psychiatric Association as a therapist under Dr. Jeff Marshall. He enjoyed travel, loved to read and to dance and- above all- enjoyed his grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife, Hannelore von Tresckow Napp, his son Ralph, Jr. of Mooresville, N.C., his daughter, Winifred-Alice and her husband, Harry Clare Morley, Jr. and his four grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Derek, Leslie, Tres and LoLo, a brother-in-law, Helmuth Rath, and a sisiter-in-law, Elsbeth Rath. He will be buried in the family grave in Bayreuth, Germany with his wife of 61 1/2 years. Memorials may be given to Crisis Control ministry or Samaritan Mistries at 2100 Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Cemetery:
He will be buried in the family grave in Bayreuth, Germany.