Ewald Johann Delzeit

Ewald Delzeit joined his beloved wife and ancestors, from a peaceful sleep on January 31, 2022.

He was born in Guldental, Germany, to Anna Rickes Delzeit and Josef Delzeit; they were farmers who secretly aided an "underground railroad" to help those who needed to escape Nazi Germany. Despite a war-torn childhood, he had dreams of a better future. He was always outgoing and collected lifelong friends from an early age. He mastered two apprenticeships: landscape architecture and floral design.

Before immigrating to the United States in 1959, he married Erica Rindermann, with whom he had three children. He designed for Podesta Baldocchi in San Francisco for several years, before purchasing and running Tanforan Flowers in Daly City. A decade later he purchased Philipp's Flowers and Artistry in Flowers in San Rafael, California.

After Ewald and Erica parted ways, he met his soulmate, Annelies Ullrich Rawlings. They shared a love of nature, the outdoors and traveling. They married, sold his businesses and shared a beautiful home in his beloved Steinbeck country, until her unexpected death. Ewald worked at Swenson and Silacci in Salinas and Monterey for 30 years. During this time, he designed and oversaw the extensive floral arrangements for Pope John Paul II's visit to Laguna Seca in 1987. He also consulted with and mentored the next generation of floral designers in best practices. As his health declined, he moved to Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove, where he received loving care until the end. While his mobility allowed, he continued to enjoy visits with his continuously growing group of friends, and holidays and meals with the family. Ewald was the family historian/storyteller, with his prodigious memory, and a faithful Catholic his entire life.

He was preceded in death by his brother Werner in 1938; his father in 1973; his mother in 1989; his brother Robert in 2008; and his wife Annelies in 2010. Ewald is survived, and his loss is grieved by, daughters Myra Delzeit and Monica Delzeit (Howard Baldwin), son Thomas Delzeit, stepdaughter Suzanne Rawlings Kalafat (Vural), grandsons Ben Delzeit and Erol Kalafat, granddaughter Yasemin Kalafat Bayram (Huseyin) and beloved friends too numerous to count.

Funeral services have been held. Ewald would be delighted if you love your gardens and nature. Remember him when you walk on the beach and encounter brown pelicans, dolphins and otters. If you're moved to make a charitable donation, Ewald loved the Elkhorn Slough Foundation in Watsonville and the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.

Published in The Pajaronian · March 10, 2022