Manfred Schopmeier, age 88 years, of Bridgewater Township, NJ, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Country Arch Care Center, Union Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. Born on July 2, 1935, in Bielefeld, Germany, he was the son of the late Willi and Luise (nee Garberding) Schopmeier.

Following his education, Manfred joined the German Navy with an eagerness to travel the world. He visited many exotic places in the Far East and even made it to Antarctica. On a trip to the United States Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD to attend a training course, Manfred’s life changed direction when he met a young Ms. Judith Chlanda. They danced, fell in love, and after a whirl-wind romance, they were married on October 7, 1961, in New York City, NY. While Judith’s family had never met someone quite like Manfred, with his heavy German accent and emerging English gleaned from American TV commercials, they embraced their new son-in-law and he became a beloved member of the extended Chlanda family.

Manfred worked for IBM for many years. He had developed mechanical skills from the Navy, and got his first job fixing typewriters. He worked his way through various departments, and shifted his career focus to mainframe computers, an area which was just starting to grow. Learning about the new computers and keeping up with the latest technology became a true passion for him. Having an exceptional work ethic, he rose to more senior positions, becoming a branch manager in NJ and PA upon retirement. Along the way, Manfred also turned down several promotions that required relocations and travel, as he did not lose sight of this true passion, which was his wife and children. He cherished most the time he spent with them.

While Manfred embraced his new American life ,elements of his German roots and influence were a constant in the Schopmeier household. He built flower boxes to surround his patio with beautiful flowers as is common in many German homes, and family dinners included German staples like sauerbraten, boiled potatoes and bratwurst which Manfred prepared himself. He had many German friends and the language was common background in the Schopmeier home. As was the German Christmas soundtrack of the Beilefeld kinder choir during the holidays. Manfred and Judith would speak German to each other when they wanted to speak privately in front of the kids much to their consternation. Later in life he joined a German club in Florida with his dear friend Martin Engelhardt, where they could enjoy the food, language, German camaraderie and of course the beer.

Manfred’s sailing history combined with his exposure to the beaches of Long Island through is in-laws’ surfcasting lifestyle made the ocean a very special place for Manfred and Judy. He and Judy would pack up the kids and head to the beaches in Long Island on the weekends. The family moved to Clinton, NJ in 1976. Manfred bought a sailboat, and spent his weekends on nearby lakes, sailing with Judy and neighborhood friends. They eventually moved up to chartering larger boats with friends and sailing up the East Coast on long weekends. They navigated many waters with friends through the years, always appreciating the sea and delighting in the sunshine. They loved it so much that when Manfred retired, they bought a condo in Boynton Beach Florida and became snowbirds. Their first grandchildren lived in Virginia, so they moved from New Jersey to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to be closer to the both beach and their grandchildren. Whether in Boynton Beach or Rehoboth Beach, they enjoyed miles and miles of walks on the beach, hand in hand. Some of his best memories they made were many wonderful visits with his beloved grandchildren. And love them he did, taking the kids to surfing camps, arcades and boardwalk amusements. Because both Manfred and Judy shared birthdays the first week of July there was often a big 4th of July birthday celebration at the beach with friends, neighbors and family.

They had a glorious retirement together, doing the things they loved.

Surviving are his three children and their spouses, Melanie and Robert Putch, Anneliese and Mark Jacobson, and Dirk and Lucy Schopmeier; his grandchildren, Andrew, Adam, Hannah and Sara; his sister and brother-in-law, Anneliese and Joachim Pegel; several extended family members; and many dear friends. Manfred’s memory will forever be cherished by his family, who remember him as a devoted husband and man of true integrity. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Life celebration arrangements are being planned for later this fall under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Kindly check back on this page as service information will be updated when finalized.

You are encouraged to visit Manfred’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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