Remembering Johann (Hans) Struff 1928-2020
Jennifer Stockdale • November 16, 2020
With deep regret we inform you of the passing of former National Secretary/Treasurer Johann (Hans) G. Struff on October 28, 2020.
Never one to do things half‑heartedly, Brother Hans was an active and vibrant GBU member since 1963 when he joined District 510 in Toledo, Ohio. He held various district offices throughout his years in Toledo. Additionally, in 1966 Hans became a district representative and proceeded to become GBU’s top producer for many years.
In 1966 and 1970, he served as a National Delegate to GBU’s National Conventions. At the 1970 convention, Hans was elected Regional Vice President-South, holding that position until July 1981 when he was elected National Secretary of GBU. Then, at the 1990 convention, the offices of National Secretary and National Treasurer were combined, and Brother Struff became GBU’s first National Secretary/Treasurer.
Being a dedicated fraternalist, Hans Struff has also served the fraternal benefit system well at both the state and national levels. From 1972 to 1992, Brother Struff served with the Ohio Fraternal Congress (OFC) and the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress (PFC) as a board member for both. Hans set a first for a GBU officer by serving as president of two different state fraternal congresses. On the national scene, beginning in 1973, he served as chairman of many National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) committees throughout the years. In 1988 he was elected to serve a three-year term on the
NFCA board.
Among his many accomplishments, Brother Struff was extremely proud to be one of the original founders of the famous Toledo German-American Festival Society. He was master of ceremonies at the Cleveland Octoberfest for many years and subsequently, was named Honorary Lieutenant Governor of the State of Ohio in October 1979.
In November 1990, Hans was the recipient of the prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany presented by New York City German Consulate, Dr. Leopold B. von Bredow. This decoration was in recognition of his significant contributions to the strengthening of cultural relations between the United States of America, his adopted homeland, and Germany, his birth land.
When Hans retired from GBU in 1992, he and his wife Karla took up residence in California in order to join their son Lothar and daughter Sylvia and their respective families.
Johann "Hans" G. Struff is survived by his lovely wife of 70 years Karla, their son Lothar (Solange) and daughter Sylvia (Mark) Friedman, and grandchildren Dylan, Alexander and Hayley.
We will miss Hans greatly. His friendly smile and charming personality endeared him to all who knew him, and their numbers are many. Auf Wiedersehen, our friend!
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
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