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In Memory Of Hans (Moetteli) Mötteli
23rd March 1926
– 31st May 2010
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""Hans Mötteli -- He always sought the wider horizons""
This memorial website was created in the memory of
Hans (Moetteli) Mötteli, born
in Turbenthal, Switzerland
on the 23rd March 1926
and passed away on the 31st May 2010, 84 years of age.
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| Full Name: Hans (Moetteli) Mötteli |
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Born: 23rd March 1926
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| Age: 84 years of age |
| Location: Garland, Texas |
| Country: The United States |
| Spouse: Alina |
| Father: Heinrich |
| Mother: Martha |
| Birth Place: Turbenthal, Switzerland |
| Children: Robert, John, Lisa and Randy |
| Siblings: Heiri, Marti, Robert |
| Occupation: Retired Airline Pilot |
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Created by John on
30 May 2010
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Survived By: His wife, children and grandchildren, as well as a loyal pug named "Yokie".
Memorial Tribute Video
Tribute to Hans
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Father, grandfather, brother and husband, Hans Mötteli (Moetteli) has gotten his wings back and is now free, flying the skies of the great blue yonder! He left this world on 31 May, 2010, surrounded by family, in his home in Garland, Texas.
Although a captain himself, his life, particularly the last ten years, has been wholey devoted to his Captain, the Lord of the Universe, Jesus Christ, as he volunteered every moment he was able to the Need-Him ministry in Dallas, Texas, fielding calls of persons in distress who desperately needed purpose in life. "It's been such a blessing" he would say, being involved in this ministry.
He leaves behind a wife of over fifty years, who cared for him with the patience of a saint over his latter years, and particularly over the last months.
Some of his noteworthy achievements:
- Having served with Need-Him 8 years, helping many come to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- Having been a dedicated member of Grace Bible Church in Dallas for almost 50 years.
- Married his wife, Miss Esso, 1958, Peru, and first runner-up to Miss Peru 1958.
- Being the father of 4 children and grandfather to six (with a seventh due only in August of this year)
- Being accepted in the Swiss Army Aircorps, where he learned to fly Swiss made Messerschmidt C135s, after the second world war.
- Having accrued more than 30,000 flying hours during his career.
- Being a member of an early aerobatic Barnstorming troup, performing near Miami, Florida.
- Having attained the rank of Captain, and flying one of the first Boeing 747s placed into commercial service, affectionately named the "Great Pumpkin", also known as the "Super Carrot"
- Being a member of the Braniff Silver Eagles since its inception.
- Having flown to Honolulu, Hawaii, more than 1000 times!
Hans flew the following aircraft during his 32 years with Braniff Airlines:
CV-440
L-188 Electra
DC-6, DC-7, and DC-8
B727
B747-100 (12 years of his 32 with Braniff) (Big Orange, Fat Albert where also nicknames)
He was asked if he would like to fly the Concord but declined due to his love of the B747 and the 6-12 months of flight training in which he thought he was to much at his age.
Hans also flew European routes (mainly to London), and many many South American routes. He was briefly stationed in Guam and from there would fly to to Saigon to bring in Vietnamese people en route to the U.S. He also flew for a time to Japan, Hong Kong and twice to Mecca.
The first link below is of the song that Hans's Mom used to sing him (translated in English). The second link below is the same song in a youtube video sung in the original German (allow it to load completely then play it again to hear it without it breaking up).
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/t/otakemyh.htm
O take my hand, dear Father, and lead Thou me, Till at my journey’s ending I dwell with Thee. Alone I cannot wander one single day, So do Thou guide my footsteps on life’s rough way.
O cover with Thy mercy my poor, weak heart, Lest I in joy or sorrow from Thee depart. Permit Thy child to linger here at Thy feet, Thy goodness blindly trusting with faith complete.
Though oft Thy power but faintly may stir my soul, With Thee, my Light in darkness, I reach the goal. Take then my hand, dear Father, and lead Thou me, Till at my journey’s ending I dwell with Thee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Css-2YOk4
And here's a link from Robert, for our first Father's Day without our Dad nearby. He says, this is what he'll be singing to us in heaven no doubt!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FafLnokzeNo
Another song he'd sing is entitled "Du, Du liegst Mir im Herzen".
For those who wish to send their condolences, see the below addresses. |
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Poetry In Memory of Hans Mötteli
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Condolence Guest Book

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30 Nov 2012 – Mrs. Harmon
from Detroit
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So sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort from the Bible.-Romans 15:4.
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30 May 2012 – John
from St. Gallen
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email author |
Hi Dad-e-O!
we're missing you, but know that you are where we all will be, and so, hopefully, you can prepare us for the leap. Hugs for all those around you we know and love.
Your second son
John
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23 Mar 2012 – John
from Switzerland
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Hey Dad-E-O!
Happy birthday to you! Hope you have a grand celebration in heaven!
Love
John
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21 Nov 2011 – John
from Switzerland/Texas
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email author |
Hey Dad, thinking of you as Thanksgiving comes around...
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29 Apr 2011 – lola
from maryland
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I am so sorry for your loss.May "the God of all comfort"(2 Corinthians 1:3,4)comfort and soothe your heart.His promises,found in the Holy Scriptures, can offer much hope. It assures us at John 5:28,29 that our loved ones will be remembered and brought back to life in the resurrection.Please allow God's Word to strengthen you and help you to endure this most difficult time.
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23 Mar 2011 – Wes
from Mineola TX.
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What a special man that can still bring tears to my eyes at the thought of him.
May God bless his family
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8 Jan 2011 – B Christian
from Chicago, IL
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email author |
I know this is a grievous time for your family. Right now you probably can’t imagine even laughing again. All I can tell you is what my friend told my when I suffered such a great loss. She said, eventually, you won’t cry everyday. I found this to be true. I also hold on to the memories. Every now and again, I still have a good cry. Please be comforted by the words of the almighty father at Revelations 21:3, 4. "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is ... » read more
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18 Aug 2010 – Travis Moetteli
from Switzerland
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email author |
Hi grandfather! I cannot talk to you, no, want to say hi, but ... I love you.
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Visitor Flowers
22 flowers
{show all}{leave my own flower}
The following flowers have been placed by visitors to the online memorial of Hans Mötteli.
We invite you to leave your own flower at this memorial by entering clicking "leave my own flower" above.
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14 Aug 2012
John placed this flower
& wrote: miss you
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28 Mar 2012
Rohit placed this flower
& wrote: Sorrow
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8 Feb 2012
Nathan placed this flower
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16 Jan 2012
Dale placed this flower
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17 Nov 2011
chabeth uy placed this flower
& wrote: My prayers for the faithful departed
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18 Oct 2011
alphonxo-cruxifixo placed this flower
& wrote: alot of us missed you................good bye.
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8 Jul 2011
Anonymous placed this flower
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19 Jun 2011
John placed this flower
& wrote: Happy Father's day in heaven, Dad!
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1 Jun 2011
John placed this flower
& wrote: It's been a year--miss you!
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23 Mar 2011
George placed this flower
& wrote: ...you were a good man.
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23 Mar 2011
John placed this flower
& wrote: Happy Birthday Dad-e-o! We miss you!
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23 Mar 2011
Nathan placed this flower
& wrote: ...a toast to Hans
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18 Nov 2010
CR REED placed this flower
& wrote: God bless you
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10 Jun 2010
Me placed this flower
& wrote: Hey Cuttie, I am glad you are finally at peace in our Loving Father's house. xo, Me.
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7 Jun 2010
Aneel Khan placed this flower
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7 Jun 2010
Barbara Ruegger placed this flower
& wrote: My grandmother worked with the father of Hans for many years. With you in prayers over the ocean
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5 Jun 2010
Robert Naef placed this flower
& wrote: Sympathy to all family/Former Swissair Member
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2 Jun 2010
Iris Vallarino & family placed this flower
& wrote: Our heartfelt condolences to the family
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31 May 2010
Nathan (from Australia) placed this flower
& wrote: Sympathy to all family
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31 May 2010
George and Gabriela placed this flower
& wrote: We will miss you dearly
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31 May 2010
Cindy and Randy placed this flower
& wrote: You will forever me in our hearts. We will miss you so vey much.
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31 May 2010
Son John placed this flower
& wrote: Rest in God's peace
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Visitor Candles
The following candles have been lit by visitors to the online memorial of
Hans Mötteli. We invite you to light your own candle at this
memorial by entering your name below and clicking "Light Candle".
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John lit this candle on 23 Mar 2012
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steffy lit this candle on 2 Feb 2012
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Samantha lit this candle on 8 Sep 2011
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MICHELLE lit this candle on 23 Jun 2011
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John lit this candle on 1 Jun 2011
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Nathan lit this candle on 16 Mar 2011
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John lit this candle on 6 Mar 2011
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ray lit this candle on 5 Oct 2010
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Francisco Wilcox lit this candle on 5 Jul 2010
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Billy Martin lit this candle on 9 Jun 2010
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Ray & Vesta Moeller lit this candle on 8 Jun 2010
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Al & Marlene Sanudo lit this candle on 7 Jun 2010
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Thomas,Priska,Céline und Simon lit this candle on 6 Jun 2010
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George lit this candle on 5 Jun 2010
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Ursi&Beat, Helen&Irene lit this candle on 3 Jun 2010
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Tony & Iris Vallarino lit this candle on 2 Jun 2010
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Eleanor &Michael Trachtenberg lit this candle on 2 Jun 2010
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Novella lit this candle on 1 Jun 2010
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George and Gabriela lit this candle on 31 May 2010
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Helen und Hansueli und Kinder lit this candle on 31 May 2010
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Esther lit this candle on 31 May 2010
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Cindy and Randy lit this candle on 31 May 2010
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JBM lit this candle on 31 May 2010
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Family & Friends
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Life Timeline
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1926
Born Mar 23
Turbenthal, Switzerland
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1940
Begins flying gliders
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1944
Joins Swiss Army Airforce and trained to fly fighters
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1948
Leaves Switzerland for Australia, but decides to stay and work in the US
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1949
Begins working in Loredo, Texas
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1950
returns to Switzerland for funeral of his brother, Robert, who died in a tractor accident
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1952
Begins flying for Braniff
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1959
Marries his wife, Alina, from Peru, with Welsch, Spanish, and Croatian ancestry
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1960
First son born, in Miami
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1961
Second son born, John, in Dallas
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1963
Daughter, Lisa, born
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1967
Son, Randy born
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1973
Begins flying Honolulu route twice weekly
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1985
retires from Braniff
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2002
Begins volunteering for Need Him
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2003
adopts pug named Yokie
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2010
Passed away May 31
Garland, Texas
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What's New
30th November 2012 guestbook signed by Mrs. Harmon {view} 14th August 2012 flower placed by John 30th May 2012 guestbook signed by John {view} 28th March 2012 flower placed by Rohit 23th March 2012 candle lit by John 23th March 2012 guestbook signed by John {view} 8th February 2012 flower placed by Nathan
Poetry
Video Clips
Audio Clips
Sympathy eCards
30 Jan 2012 – Salooja Wesley sent this sympathy ecard and wrote:
RIP Hans
13 Jul 2011 – Lucy sent this sympathy ecard and wrote:
I know that God has good plans, adding one more angel in heaven means more protection. It is a better place with no more sorrows, no more pain just sweet sleep!
20 Oct 2010 – L.M. Ervin sent this sympathy ecard and wrote:
My care & concern is with you. It is such a blessing to know that God did not create us to die and that soon he will wipe away all tears. Pain and death will be no more. Revelation 21:3,4
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