Bernd Walter Schaumburg

Bernd “Ben” Walter Schaumburg passed away on November 7th, 2022, at 81 years of age in Morrisville, North Carolina.

Ben was born on October 25, 1941 in Bremerhaven, Germany. He was raised by his grandmother, and at just 9 years old, he came to the United States to be reunited with his mother. The trip was long and challenging as Ben was alone and didn’t speak any English. When he arrived in California, not only was he greeted by his mother, but he was also greeted by a local news station that got wind of his incredible journey. Ben lived with his mother, stepfather, and stepsisters, and they traveled extensively as Ben’s stepfather was a soldier in the US Army.

After graduating from the University of Maryland, Ben went on to work as a military police officer for the US Army and then diplomatic security and criminal justice for the US State Department. His career spanned nearly three decades and took him all over the world – working on every continent and more countries than a box full of passports could hold. Extensive travel and exposure to culture and people from every corner of the earth helped to shape a truly amazing human being. The family would love to sit down with Ben (and his favorite glass of red wine) and listen to the countless stories of the adventures that he had.

In 1992, while stationed in Sweden, Ben met the love of his life (Janet Ewing) at an evening dance party. Two years later, after his retirement from the State Department, Ben and Janet were married in Anguilla. They took up residence on the island of St. Maarten for two and a half years before coming back to the US to live in Taylors, South Carolina. While in South Carolina, Ben came out of retirement to become the head of security for the Ahold Corporation. The couple took to traveling again and moved to Aruba for another two and a half years before coming back to the US to live in Greer, South Carolina so Janet could receive medical care.

While in Greer, Ben loved to spend his days volunteering at Greer Memorial Hospital. He also took on a small side job with the local BMW plant where he would teach the office workers how to speak basic German so that they could more easily communicate with the home office in Germany.

Following Janet’s passing, Ben moved to Preston Pointe Retirement Community in Morrisville, North Carolina in May 2022 to be closer to family. He celebrated his 81st birthday in October surrounded by family, observant and witty as ever, with his staple glass of red wine in hand. He will be desperately missed by so many - family, friends, and acquaintances alike. Stories of his travels and remarkable experiences will resonate and live on through his family for years to come.

Ben is preceded in death by his mother, Irma Sobey; his stepfather, Bill Sobey; half sister, Angela Sobey; and his wife Janet. He is survived by half sister, Sharon Sobey; stepdaughters Cheryl (Dawn) Tupper, Denise Andrews, Crystal Baker, and Candy Dye; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Always the traveler, Ben’s ashes will return to Aruba to be scattered by family.