Former San Diego Resident Horst Ludwig Passes Away

SAN DIEGO — Horst Ludwig, a longtime resident of the Scripps Ranch community in San Diego, passed away Jan. 30 at his home in Sun City. He was 85.

Horst was born on Oct. 22, 1934, in Hohenreikendorf, Germany, where he lived until he moved to the inner city of Berlin with his mother after the end of World War II. As a teenager, he was known for racing bicycles on the narrow streets of Berlin. He worked as a bricklayer, like his father before him, and helped rebuild Germany from the rubble after the war's end.

Horst immigrated to Canada in the 1950s, arriving in Saskatchewan in 1956, with little to no understanding of English. There, he lived with friends and family, and worked as a roofer and bricklayer until he became an apprentice, and later a journeyman.

He married Annemarie Zachert, who left Berlin to join him in Canada. Together, they relocated to San Diego in 1964, living in Clairemont and later Scripps Ranch with their sons, Rodney and Perry.

Horst built a solid reputation in the San Diego community as a bricklayer and businessman. He owned his company, H. R. Ludwig Masonry, for nearly 40 years. He employed both of his sons, teaching them both technique and his powerful work ethic.

He was on the board of directors at San Diego Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local Union for many years, even after he retired to Temecula, then later Sun City. Horst was also a prominent member of the San Diego German community, as well as a fan of local sports. He is remembered as one of the founding members of the Scripps Ranch Soccer Club, 1981, and was awarded Scripps Ranch Citizen of the Year in 1982 for his efforts toward building a foundation of soccer in that community along with some of his closest friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annemarie, who passed away in 2002. Horst is survived by sons, Rodney Ludwig (Karen) and Perry Ludwig (Ashley), and four grandchildren: Rachel Ludwig, Nicole Ludwig, Elizabeth Ludwig and Logan Ludwig.

A memorial service for family and friends of Horst will be held at 9 a.m. Feb. 13 at El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley.