Louis Herman Furstner

Resident of Manteca, formerly of Fremont

July 8, 1927 - July 7, 2021

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Louis Furstner, 94 years young. Louis was born July 8, 1927, the eldest of 3 children, in Bogor, Indonesia when it was still a Dutch colony. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Johanna (Jopie) of Manteca, 4 children, Erica Oudeboon-Herron (Russ) of Pleasanton, Hank Oudeboon (Judy) of Texas, Deborah Mello (Gilbert) of Manteca, Ilse Abina (Tim) of Fernly, Nevada, sister Louise (Nonika) Furstner of the Netherlands, sister-in-law Mia Furstner of Oregon (brother Rudy predeceased Louis in death), 2 stepsons, Harrie Munstermann (Janny) of France, Frans de Wijn (Margreet) of the Netherlands, 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren (plus 2 in the oven) and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Louis was proud of his Dutch-Indonesian (Indo) heritage and had many life experiences which shaped him into the man he became. At the young age of 15 (during WWII) he and other Dutch-Indo males were sent to concentration camps. At the end of the war, the camp was liberated but he was so weak from malnutrition that he had to crawl out on his hands and knees. A year later, during the Indonesian uprising against Dutch rule, he was interned again until Indonesia gained its independence. After that he and his entire family fled to the Netherlands where he joined the Dutch Army, and eventually he immigrated to the USA. There were many Indo refugees living in the SF bay area when he met our mother, a Dutch-Indo widow with 2 kids (they met at a dance party of course!) and married her June 23, 1962. They settled in Fremont where they had 2 more daughters and lived there until most recently.

Papa lived life fully and loved his adopted country! He worked at United Airlines for 30 years working his way from storekeeper to welder extraordinaire. Papa was an excellent ballroom dancer and also did a pretty good tango and cha cha cha! He played soccer with many local residents and expatriates and played tennis most of his life. He was a tennis coach at Irvington High School and for a local women’s tennis club whose members became his other family. He loved his Indonesian food such as Bami Goreng, Sate and Pandang. He loved Sala Thai food because it was the closest in taste to the foods of his youth. Papa was a health nut before it became fashionable juicing carrots, apples, celery and garlic for as long as we can remember.

Papa was Opa to many, blood-related or not. He was a dignified man, he stood for honesty and truth, was a proud union member, and he loved all of his many family members very much. He was truly a man of God and we know he is dancing in heaven. In lieu of flowers or donations we are asking those who wish, to help us purchase an inscribed memorial bench to be located near the Lake Elizabeth tennis courts where he loved to play with friends. Please see the link below. Thank you.

Play on Papa, you will be missed!

https://www.elizabethparkct.org/support/bench-dedication