RIP ~ Roland Kuffner!

[Michael Alexander]

Sad to hear of the passing of yet another Oranjemund character and Old timer, Roland Kuffner.

Roland was quite and eccentric personality around the town and a very humble man to those of us who knew him.

When I was an apprentice staying at the single quarters, I once tried to take a shortcut through the kitchen to get to the local mess , only to have Roland throw me with pots and pans...... he always denied this tale when I recalled it...   

Roland was an executive chef by trade and was also one of those crazy characters that one heard about from everyone who stayed up at Affenrucken.

I will not go into too much detail, but there are some incredible tales about Roland's time up at Affies!

Roland was also a good friend to my father, the late Jock Alexander and lived(retired) two houses down from him, off course this was a toxic relation as they both enjoyed a few good drinks....

My sincere condolences to Hanelore and the rest of the Kuffner family.....

He will be missed...

[Michael Alexander]

Had to add on....

I believe Roland's last wishes are that he is to be cremated, taken to Affenrucken and scattered , whilst an Ice Cold Castle is cracked in his honour......

Knowing Roland, one would expect nothing less....
 

[henniek]

Sad to hear of the passing of yet another Oranjemunder , Roland Kuffner.
My sincere condolences to Kuffner family

[henniek]

he once won first prise for the best Gemsbok steak. The competition was run by Oranjemund Vroue vereninging -   I can not comment , because in my opinion  , he spoiled the dish , by stuffing the steak with goat-milk cheese

[Michael Alexander]

Goats milk Cheese, I think ai might have liked that steak in all honesty..

[Jeremy Dixon]

I remember the landcover parked outside his place, it never moved. Rumor had it that he had stockpiled cans of food and water in preparation.

Like the TV show preppers preparing for some dooms day event.

Not sure how true this all is, Im sure there are some more tall tales.

Fond memories of him, didn't know him well but he was always friendly and polite.

[Michael Alexander]

After he had retired and bought a Park Home out Pigsville side of town, he would often come to Spar on his bicycle, wearing that French style cap, with his one trouser leg pants rolled up with a peg keeping it in place , He would always say to us in a thick German accent, "There's a Friendly Schpaaaaar wherever you are!"

[Michael Alexander]

On his last visit to Oranjemund back in 2012,  Malcolm Bertoni visited the Kufner's  and took the below photo before he left...

[Michael Alexander]

A local resident had the following descriptive words to say about Roland!

the existing trees    planted at the 13th avenue flat  on the corner  were  planted by Roland.  He also always hoisted the German   flag   and his house  was a museum.   He was an SS soldier and a pilot if my memory serves  me right. He once showed  me his documents.  Always insisted on a full examination pad   and   diary and  always pressured the bank to provide  him with a diary   and desk  calendar   for free. He had a lot of German    momento's   and  visitors  to Oranjemund were always taken to his home as he was such an interesting and knew the world's history backwards.
An animal lover- had   koi  fish/ geese/ chickens   and  dogs.    Also fond of gardening.

Just to add to the above, I think it was his father that served in the SS.

Indeed a very interesting character and always a smile on his face!

[Michael Alexander]

Adding to the above about the flag flying, Roland loved flags and always hoisted three flags, The highest one being the Namibian National Flag, then on a lower pole, the German Kreigsmarine Flag , and it escapes what was on the 3rd flagpole....

[henniek]

such nice stories - thanks. my memory is getting misty about us , the old timers