Adam Sollmann

Adam Sollmann, beloved father of 2 boys, 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, passed away suddenly, age 88, at the Encore Village in Schaumburg on April 27, 2025. He had just arrived there to begin rehab after surgery to repair a hip fracture. He leaves behind many special people in his life both near and far.

Adam was the first child and only child of Julianna Sollmann (Wagner) and Lorenz Sollmann, born December 25, 1936, in the town of Pancevo, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia) near Belgrade along the Danube River. When Adam was three months old his father was drafted into the Serbian military. Three months later, Lorenz suddenly died 24 hours after receiving an immunization shot. His mother remarried to Philip Gutwein. Together they had a daughter, Marie Friesz (Gutwein) also from Pancevo. At the end of World War II, when Adam was about 10 years old, the partisan, anti-German government killed his uncle Peter Gutwein and imprisoned his stepfather Philip in Siberia. Adam, his mother and half-sister were placed in a concentration camp called Rudolfsgnad run by the Yugoslav communists. Adam's grandparents on his father's side were also imprisoned in Rudolfgnad, where they were eventually starved to death. In this camp, Adam and his mother and half sister, Marie, were forced to do hard field work, and suffered from constant hunger, malnutrition and cold winters with little to keep them warm. They were relocated to the concentration camp at nearby Franzfeld until their eventual release in 1948.

From there, the family made their way through Austria and into Germany. They settled in the Black Forest area. Adam went through grade school and then entered trade school learning to repair sewing machines and motorcycles. This foundation lasted his whole life, working with his hands repairing engines for over 30 years. In the town of Hofweier, Germany, Adam met Klara Bandle. A few years after their marriage, they immigrated to the United States of America in 1960, being sponsored by Adam’s aunt and uncle who lived in Mansfield, OH. After living there for a year working as a car mechanic, they moved to the Chicago area hoping for better career opportunities. Living at first with a cousin in Wheeling, Adam began working at the Volkswagen dealership in downtown Chicago. They were living in an apartment at the intersection of Clark and Carmen Street when Lorenz was born on August 4, 1964. Later, together with cousin Karl Schortye and his wife Barbara, they bought their first house (a two-flat) in Rogers Park near Evanston, where Thomas was born on May 10, 1968.

Adam worked hard and advanced to owning his own businesses, both an auto repair shop and an auto body shop. Although his 18 yr marriage to Klara, and his second (21 yr) marriage to Rosemary Kavanaugh both sadly ended in divorces, his love for his boys was unwavering. He spent the remainder of his life with his companion, Rose Barth, a widow with whom he shared a common heritage. Despite the divorce, Adam maintained a very close friendship with his former wife, Rosemary Sollmann, with whom he spoke on the phone every week. That friendship lasted to the end of his life.

Through all the hardships and the cruel treatment he had endured in his youth, he still had a tender love and affection for people. He could easily turn an acquaintance or building contractor into a lifelong friend. He was an active member of many clubs, including the Chicago Kickers and Green-White soccer clubs, the Donauschwaben Society of Chicago, German Aide Society, Ski club, and his big game hunting group. He gave many hours and support to the various youth programs, cooking for events (e.g., venison dinner, Schlachtfest, and making sausage for fund raisers) and as a board member. Adam was also always there to lend a helping hand to his friends, especially in his retired years. If he could be a handyman, gardener, errand runner, or fix something for one of his friends, he found joy and purpose in being there for others in this way.

One of his joys in his later years was learning of the existence of the Sollmann family reunion each summer in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. It became a wonderful experience for him to connect with his extended family and friends. Adam also loved to travel and was blessed to have seen many parts of the world. He had the opportunity to visit his beloved relatives in Germany many times, as well as visit many other countries in Europe, Costa Rica in Central America, and even take a safari with a friend to Africa.

Adam’s son, Thomas, made a career of his service in the United States Navy. One of Adam’s favorite experiences was when he and his son, Lorenz, joined Thomas aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt for a three day “Tiger Cruise” from Fort Lauderdale, FL, to Norfolk, VA where his son Thomas was stationed. Another of Adam’s favorite memories was when in 2021 he, Lorenz and his grandson Josef traveled to Wyoming together for Adam's 50th year deer hunting by his beloved friends the Mills on their property in Tensleep. This was Josef’s first deer hunting experience, and to make that trip with Opa to the place that was so special to him on this milestone 50th year was such a very meaningful experience for everyone, but especially for Opa. Just being out in the outdoors which he loved, and being there with the family he loved, and with the friends he loved meant everything to him.

Despite often the physical distances, Adam and his family always remained connected. He adored his grandkids and was very proud of each of them, and always loved to talk with them or about them or share photos of them with his friends. Adam was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marie Friesz, and youngest son, Thomas Sollmann. He is survived by his oldest son Lorenz (Patricia) Sollmann, three grandchildren Lea (Liam) McCarthy, Josef Sollmann, and Jehannah (Andrew) Quinan, great-grandchild Kateri McCarthy and newest Quinan grandchild on the way, 27Year, life partner Rose Barth, Rose Barth family, 2 sons and wives and 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren who loved him and called him Opa Adam, Rosemary Sollmann all of whom have been blessed by his life, and who will miss him so very much.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 10th from 4:00-7:00pm with a Funeral Service beginning at 5:30pm at The Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E Irving Park Rd (at Prospect), Itasca. Interment private. For funeral information, please contact (630) 250-8588 or visit www.oaksfh.com