From Childhood Shadows To American Dreams: A Silesian's Memoir Of Survival And Hope

By Sigmund Joe Lichter

Meet Sigmund Lichter, the author of "From Childhood Shadows to American Dreams: A Silesian's Memoir of Survival and Hope". This book is like a time machine, taking you back to the historic city of Gleiwitz, Germany. Sigmund's family has been around for centuries, and he's got some amazing stories to share

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sigmund Lichter
• Release date: Mar 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869265302

Sigmund Joe Lichter

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Book preview

A SILESIAN’S MEMOIR OF SURVIVAL AND HOPE

Sigmund Lichter

Copyright © 2023

All Rights Reserved

Dedication

In this heartfelt tribute, I share my life’s journey as a homage to my cherished wife, Elizabeth, and our wonderful family. The path of life often leads us through highs and lows, each moment adding a layer of depth and understanding to our existence.

As I reflect on my life experiences, I am reminded of the metaphorical mountains and valleys we traverse. Each step forward is akin to entering an illuminated tunnel, revealing new facets of existence we might never have imagined. My unwavering determination and strong work ethic have been guiding forces, propelling me to realize my dreams and to surpass them.

It is impossible to encapsulate every facet of life within a mere narrative. However, I have strived to reach a planned destination in my life’s endeavors. Along the way, I hope you will find an array of intriguing situations, captivating conclusions, and, most significantly, the profound love that has propelled me forward in my journey.

After all is said and done, the culmination of my life’s voyage finds its purpose in bringing love to others. This, I believe, is one of life’s most profound and lasting gifts. I send my heartfelt blessings to you all, filled with love and gratitude.

With deep affection,

Dad and Opa

August 23, 2023

Acknowledgment

I would first like to acknowledge the pivotal role my dear loved wife, ELIZABETH LICHTER, had in writing this memoir. Without her by my side for all those years, my American Dream would have never been achieved since she was the foremost part of it.

I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful job my cousin WERNER LICHTER did in researching our family ancestry, which helped me in my additional detailed research of our family roots.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement given to me by my friend Mrs. LENA STRAUSS to write and her valuable guidance through the first chapters of my memoir.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

About the Author.

Early Life

Adulthood, Matrimony, and Growing up

Leaving our Home Beginning in America

Earlier Years of Advancement

Family Vacations Business Setup and Startup

Travels with Friends.

Completing My Life’s Circle

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About the Author.

Sigmund Lichter, a resilient individual born in 1933 in Silesia, Germany, faced the formidable challenges of a tumultuous youth under a communistic regime. His journey took a pivotal turn when, at the age of 26, he embarked on a life-changing adventure—the eagerly awaited immigration to the United States of America in 1959.

In the vast landscape of America, Sigmund’s indomitable spirit, diligent work ethic, and unwavering determination became the cornerstones of his pursuit of the American Dream. Settling in California, he dedicated himself to crafting a life that would be a testament to his values—hard work, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of happiness.

Sigmund’s multifaceted talents, largely self-taught across various professional domains, reflected his voracious appetite for knowledge. However, his pursuits were not solely for personal gain; they were driven by a profound desire to provide his family with a blissful, worry-free existence.

His compassion extended beyond his immediate kin, reaching out to friends and acquaintances generously sharing his love, support, and assistance. As a man of remarkable achievements, Sigmund Lichter penned his memoir, a reflective journey that encapsulates a life well-lived. Celebrating his 90th birthday, he chronicled his triumphs, professional prowess, and the depth of his affection for family and humanity.

Through his memoir, Sigmund leaves behind a legacy of resilience, hard work, and boundless love—an enduring narrative that resonates with the pursuit of dreams and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Early Life

My journey began in the heart of Gleiwitz, Germany, a historic town with roots tracing back to the 12th century. It was August 23, 1933, when I came into this world with the name ALBERT JOACHIM LICHTER, welcomed by the embrace of my family. Among them were my older brothers, Hubert W. Lichter (1929-2013) and Guenter R. Lichter (1927-1979), who stood as steadfast companions through the years.

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Born into the lineage of the Lichter family, I was the third child of Maria Lichter/Kolodziejczyk and Joachim Lichter the second, a continuation of the seventh generation to inhabit the Silesian land since 1680.

However, our lives took an unexpected turn in 1936 when my father’s life was claimed by a tragic work-related accident.

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The LICHTER FAMILY GENEALOGY can be meticulously traced back to the year 1680. The first documented ancestor, Adam Lichter, was discovered living in Czermna in 1680. Czermna, a small Silesian Bordertown, underwent frequent political changes, alternating between being named Czermna under Polish rule, Grenzeck under German control, and Tscherbeney during Czechoslovakian administration.

Generations of Lichters, including Adam Lichter’s son Michell Lichter, grandson Johan Lichter, great-grandson Joseph Lichter, and great-great-grandson Franz Lichter, maintained their family presence in Czermna over the years.

Czermna gained distinction as the location of the renowned St. Bartholomew’s SKULL CHAPEL, constructed between 1776 and 1794. This chapel was built using skulls and bones retrieved from the mass graves of the 1740-1763 Silesian wars, as well as those who perished due to cholera epidemics, plagues, and famine during that period.

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In 1804, the skulls of those who constructed the chapel were placed on its altar, accompanied by a crucifix adorned with two angels bearing a Latin inscription: ARISE FROM THE DEAD. The chapel serves as a living museum, offering audio recordings in Polish, Czech, German, and English to explain its historical significance.

In 1850, Franz Lichter and his family departed Czermna and resettled in Chorulla, situated in Lower Silesia along the banks of the river ODRA. Within Chorulla, Franz Lichter contributed as one of Baroness von LARISCH’s nine gardeners, tending to her Pride Garden within the 13th Century CHORULLA CASTLE. Joachim Lichter the first, Franz Lichter’s son, eventually joined his father in the gardening team. Displaying artistic talent, Joachim Lichter the first ascended to the position of Art-Gardener, leading the castle’s gardening crew.

Toward the late 1800s, Joachim Lichter the first left Chorulla and resettled in Gleiwitz, Upper Silesia.

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This was the birthplace of my father, Joachim Lichter the 2nd. Gleiwitz, now known as Gliwice, Poland, remained our hometown until my departure to the United States in 1959.

Throughout history, Silesia underwent shifts in nationality, alternating between Germany, Prussia, Austria, and Poland. During the early 1900s, Silesia was under German rule.

Gleiwitz was established as a historic town in the 12th century. Our family’s residence was roughly 200 feet from the oldest structure, the Medieval Fortified Old Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church, constructed in the 15th century. This church holds a colorful folklore associated with its construction.

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According to legend, the builder commissioned for the church squandered the funds advanced to him and could not complete the project. Only the steeple of the church remained unfinished, lacking the necessary funds. As a result, he was summoned to court to address the matter. On the eve of his sentencing, he sat in a bar, distraught and inebriated, engaging in a conversation with himself. An unknown stranger joined him, listened to his troubles, and offered a solution. This stranger revealed as the DEVIL, proposed to complete the church steeple overnight before the crowing of a rooster. In exchange, the builder would surrender his soul to the devil.

An agreement was reached, and they parted ways. The builder stayed awake, witnessing the devil’s rapid construction of the steeple. Just as it neared completion, a rooster crowed in the early morning.

The builder celebrated, believing he had won the wager and finished the steeple.

In a fit of rage at losing the builder’s soul, the devil kicked a massive boulder at the steeple, causing it to collapse and land in a nearby forest a few miles away from the church.

This boulder, roughly the size of a passenger car, bears a visible hoofmark from the devil’s kick. This event has given rise to the legend of the DEVIL’S BOULDER.

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Remarkably, Gleiwitz’s flat landscape lacks boulders for miles, making the presence of this boulder a curiosity for many years. Gleiwitz boasted a plethora of local legends and artistic statues placed in squares and corners throughout the town.

One notable statue depicts three devil-like creatures with hooves dancing around a fountain, known as the WATERMEN, supported by local lore.

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The most famous statue, however, stands in the town’s center, facing the City’s Townhall: the 17th Century Neptune Fountain. This statue draws locals and tourists alike, offering a sense of earth, sea, and sky. Neptune, the God of the sea, is depicted sitting atop a large fish, spouting water into the fountain’s basin. This statue elicits a range of emotions, from calm to stormy, reflecting Neptune’s dominion over the sea.

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Gleiwitz was a town of adaptability, showcasing a rich cultural heritage and hosting numerous cultural festivities that allowed people to exchange their daily experiences. The resilience of its inhabitants was evident in their capacity to absorb and adjust to even the most trying circumstances.

One particularly captivating incident occurred at the mesmerizing Neptune Fountain. Two young boys, my lifelong friend Gerhard and I were engrossed in play one day when we noticed a colorful butterfly—possibly a Monarch—had fallen into the fountain. Driven by compassion, the boys rescued the helpless butterfly as they plucked it from the embrace of the cruel water, allowing it to flutter away gracefully after opening its delicate wings.

This experience instilled a