Hans B. Hunziker

Hans B. Hunziker, age 61 of Cleveland Hts., OH. Beloved husband of Lisa Y. Hunziker (nee York); loving father of Henry A. Hunziker; dear brother of Jim Hunziker (Alex) of Portland, ME and Eric Hunziker (Judy) of Chino Hills, CA and the late Bill Hunziker (Theresa).

Hans was born in Summit, NJ to Bob and Joan Hunziker. He grew up and went to school in Westfield, NJ until high school, where he attended Gould Academy in Maine. He graduated from Lynchburg College where he received a BA in Theatre. His first job in theatre was at TheatreVirginia in Richmond, where he met Lisa. They traveled the country to work at different theatres and finally settled in Cleveland, OH. Hans’ professional theatre career was filled with building sets, creating props, and managing productions.

His second career was owning his own business as a Personal Chef and Caterer. He was an amazing chef! He loved to cook and provided healthy meals for his clients. He certainly kept his family well fed.

Hans was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014 that metastasized to his liver soon after. He lived with this disease for over 9 years taking breaks from treatment to go to Maine and enjoy the winter holidays. Spending time in Maine was, as he said, “His happy place.” Hans and his family would go every summer and try to stay there as long as they could.  Hans always looked forward to getting the sailboat in so he could get out on the water, another one of his happy places. Maine is the legacy that he has left to Lisa and Henry, and they will always feel his spirit there.

Hans was a kind, loving, gentle soul, full of joy, that was taken from us too soon. He lived the best life he could with the circumstances he was given. He carried himself with such dignity through some of the worst times in his life, but he managed to find the laughter and fun through it all. He never wanted to say that he was fighting or battling cancer, he was just living with it. He was admired and loved by many and will be greatly missed. We all feel blessed to have had Hans in our lives.

This statement Hans reposted on Facebook last fall best expresses his outlook on life, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a ride!”  by Hunter S. Thompson. 

The night before he passed, there was a gathering for dinner at Hans and Lisa’s house with close friends. They spent time together enjoying good food and great company. They talked with Hans not knowing this would be the last time. They all came the next morning to say farewell to their dear friend and to support Lisa and Henry in the way all small villages do. 

The memorial service for Hans will be held at 2 pm Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, 2860 Coventry Rd, Shaker Hts., OH 44120. It will also be lived streamed at plymouthchurchucc.org/livestream or go to plymouthchurchucc.org website and click ‘Watch’ at the appropriate time.

 In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, 2860 Coventry Rd, Shaker Hts., OH 44120 or to Friends of Casco Bay, 43 Slocum Drive, South Portland, ME 04106.