Norbert Lucas of Millbrook, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022, three weeks
shy of his 92nd birthday. Norbert was a resident of Yorktown Heights for over forty years, before
moving to Millbrook in 2016.
Norbert was born on May 29, 1930, in East Berlin Germany to Selma and Willi Lucas. He was
their only child, and grew up on a vegetable farm surrounded by family and farmhands.
Growing up during World War II, he had both good memories of fun times and some memories
that reflected the horror of war for a young child. But Norbert’s father taught him to always find
the good in all situations and this came through when he told stories of his youth.
Norbert went to Agriculture School and then Business School in Germany, earning degrees in
both in 1952. In 1952, at a New Year’s Eve party, Norbert met the love of his life, Erika Klaue.
They began dating. Erika lived in West Berlin and Norbert in East Berlin. So they needed to
cross the border each time to see one another. They were married on March 17, 1953. In 1954,
as the political climate worsened, they sailed to New York, with very few possessions, to start
their life in America. After a few weeks, Norbert was drafted by the US Army, and sent to West
Germany as part of the US Occupation Force for a year.
When he returned, they both became US citizens, and moved to Westchester County to live,
finally settling in Yorktown Heights, in 1969. Norbert went back to school for mechanical
engineering and worked for several companies. The last company he worked for was Nestle
Corporation, from which he retired in 1992. He spent his retirement years traveling, enjoying
working in his garden and being with friends and family. Norbert lost Erika in 1995 to cancer.
Norbert is survived by his two children, Dieter (Dana) Lucas and Monica (Chris) Mooney; four
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 2405 Crompond Rd,
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, on Friday June 24th at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the
Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Arbor Day Foundation
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paws of Honor.
