Uve Laufenberg

Uve Laufenberg, age 92, went home to be with his heavenly Father on July 31, 2025. He was born on December 2, 1932, in Berlin, Germany, to father Kaufmann Wilhelm Otto Peter Laufenberg and mother Magdalena Emilie Marie Jenni Laufenberg. He spent his early years navigating pre-war, war, and post-war Germany. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Irmgard Gertrude Thanscheidt. Uve and Irmgard married and had a daughter, Angela-Ilke Laufenberg, before moving to the United States. Shortly after, they welcomed a son, Alexander-Eric Laufenberg. They soon settled in the Eau Gallie area of Melbourne and started their new life.

Uve looked forward to building a life here in America. He became a U.S. citizen in May of 1970. Uve was a hardworking man and enjoyed various jobs. He worked at Opto-Mechanics and later had a long career as a Quality Control Inspector at Harris Corporation. He also enjoyed working security at the Jai Alai Fronton in Melbourne and served many years as a reserve police officer for the city of Melbourne. After retiring from Harris, he was called back to work part-time, which he enjoyed into his 70s. Uve was a born-again Christian who loved the Lord. He was a faithful churchgoer and held many positions at the churches he attended over the years. 

He enjoyed many sports and hobbies during his 92 years. He loved soccer and table tennis. He played and coached soccer for the city of Melbourne for many years, maintaining contact with many of his players over time. He was known for his fairness and sportsmanship. He also loved hosting DJ sets at gatherings with German friends throughout the years. His energy, storytelling, and laughter were cherished by many. He appreciated all kinds of music, especially Big Band. You’d often find him at home enjoying his favorite tunes. Later in life, he developed an appreciation for older country standards as well. Uve loved people. He volunteered at Holmes Regional Medical Center for over 10 years. After a quadruple bypass at age 70, he became President of the Mended Hearts Association for more than a decade.

Uve’s daughter Angela encouraged him to volunteer at Turner Elementary once her own children were of school age. He read to children there and continued doing so for two decades, even after his granddaughters grew up and graduated. He was nominated for School Volunteer of the Year, and we enjoyed celebrating him at Brevard Community College. Last year, Uve received a letter thanking him for 35 years of donations to St. Jude’s. He truly dedicated his life to service.

Uve loved his family deeply and developed a fondness for Gatlinburg, Tennessee, sharing many vacations with his children, grandchildren, son-in-law, and other family members over 60 years. Those trips brought him great joy.

He was loved by family and friends alike. In his later years, he enjoyed playing cards with friends and spending time with family and his caregiver. Shopping, running errands, and long car rides became fun adventures for him. He loved the holidays and made each one special. He often wore suits to holiday gatherings and church—always so handsome. He loved life and lived it fully. He was a devoted son, a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, brother, and uncle. And he was the BEST Opa!

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sisters Hanna-Lore Hoffman-Heyden and Doerte Frohnhoefer, his beloved wife Irmgard, and dear daughter Angela-Ilke Laufenberg McGee. He is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, Alexander-Eric Laufenberg and Roberta; his son-in-law Steve McGee; his granddaughters Aubrey Vinson and her husband Joshua, and Mallory Laufenberg McGee; and his four nieces, Birgit Hoffman-Heyden Blommel, Carola Kenney, Katja von Schwartzenberg, Heike Crotty, and their families.

To borrow one of Uve’s favorite words… he was simply UNBELIEVABLE!