Continuing a Story: Robert, William, and Raymond Hagenbuch

One of the most exciting parts of the genealogical work that Andrew and I do is when someone reads one of our articles and then they write to us offering more information about their family. At times, we really hit the jackpot when one of these correspondents understands fully what we are trying to do and sends us more than just names, dates, and places. That’s what occurred a few weeks ago when we heard from Janet Hagenbuch, who lives in Marietta, Georgia.

Janet is new to the Hagenbuch family, having married Raymond Paul Hagenbuch in March of 2023; although she knew Raymond many years ago when they worked together at a demolition company. Janet read the  previous article about Raymond, his twin brothers, and their family. She decided to write to us and offer help fill in some blanks. Her and Raymond’s story is unique and delightful.

Raymond and Janet while dating, c. 1978

The following is her message which led us down the path of more discovery:

My name is Janet Hagenbuch and I am married to Raymond Paul Hagenbuch. He is the baby brother of William and Robert Hagenbuch, the twins you wrote an article about dated January 10, 2023. Yes, they are actually twins, born December 24, 1953. Their brother Raymond was born December 25, 1954, one year and one day apart. Their father was Charles Frank Hagenbuch, mother was Doris L. (Howard) Hagenbuch. Both parents had been previously married and divorced.

You already know that William died April 21, 2018. His twin, Robert, died September 28, 2022.

You mentioned in your article that there are lots of blanks in this family’s story which I can help fill. There are no biological children born of the three Hagenbuch brothers. William “Billy” and Robert “Bobby” had stepchildren. They both married women who already had children from a previous marriage. Robert’s wife, Cheryl, passed before him. William’s widow, Sandra, is still alive.

Raymond never married until he married me March 11, 2023. We had a two year relationship when we were in our early 20’s about 1977–79. We parted ways, but never forgot each other. He found me on the internet and called me out of the blue December 6, 2022. We spent countless hours, days, weeks on the phone putting the pieces together of what happened that caused our break up, and how the years had been since for each of us. We realized and admitted that the love we had for each other all those years ago never went away and he said he never married because I was “the one.”

Raymond and Janet, now married, in 2023

Raymond wanted to come see me. I am in Marietta, Georgia; he is still in Richmond, Virginia. He arrived February 13, 2023 at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport where I picked him up and 2 days later he asked me to marry him. Yes, we looked different than our younger days, but the love was strong and we were married at the Cobb County, Georgia Courthouse on March 11, 2023.

We both had kept pictures of us from the early years. I kept all the pictures I had from back then because I just couldn’t let him go and he the same. I hope I didn’t bore you with these details about Raymond and me, but it is all true and a true love story. Yes, we are 546 miles apart, but are making it work with trips back and forth for now. We still spend several hours on the phone daily when we are not together.

The reader of this article should look back and read the previous piece which is based on Raymond’s twin brothers, Bobby and Billy. Raymond’s family line is: Andreas (b. 1715) > John (b. 1763) > Michael (b. 1799) > William (b. 1841) > Charles E. (b. 1873) > Paul Gideon Sr. (b. 1894) > Charles Frank (b. 1920) > Twins Robert and William (b. 1953) and Raymond Paul (b. 1954).

Raymond’s father, Charles Frank (b. 1920. d. 1990) was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where his father, Paul Gideon Hagenbuch Sr., was working as a draftsman for a construction company. In July of 1941 Charles registered with the draft in Arlington, Virginia, where he was working at the Woolworth department store. He enlisted in the army in 1942 as a warrant officer and was discharged in 1946. He had attended a year of college when he enlisted. Sometime after his discharge he married and in 1950 was living with wife, Ila Mae Cook in Logan, Utah. He may have been going to college there at that time. Janet wrote to me that Raymond believes his father may have met Ila in Utah while attending college.

Charles and Doris (Howard) Hagenbuch family, c. 1958
Back: Charles; 2nd row: Donna Steen and Doris (Howard); 3rd row: William “Billy” and Robert “Bobby”; Front row: Raymond

Charles and Ila divorced in 1953, and he married Doris Howard. Doris was married previously and had a daughter, Donna Steen. The twins, Robert and William, were born on Christmas Eve of that year to Charles and Doris. Raymond was born the next year on Christmas Day, December 25, 1954. Raymond believes that his father and mother met when they were both working in Washington D.C. in 1953. Charles was working there for the Federal Housing Authority as Assistant to the Director in Richmond, VA.

Charles had a brother, Paul Gideon Jr. (b. 1921, d. 1992) who was married in 1946 to Minnie Koepper. They had three children and more of their story is in the 2023 article on this family. Charles and Paul also had a sister, Phyllis (b. 1927, d. 1983) who married John Maley, Jr in 1947. They divorced in 1974. More of their story can be found in the 2023 piece.

Raymond, William “Billy”, and Robert “Bobby” Hagenbuch, c. 1960

Information about the twins was described in the previous article, too. As Janet writes in her letter, their younger brother, Raymond, never married until he reconnected with Janet in December of 2022—and the rest is a love story that inspired this feature. Similar to other pieces that Andrew and I write, the names and dates led us to interesting details about people’s lives. Janet and Raymond have provided an important service to the Hagenbuch family history because of the coincidence of them reconnecting after so many years.

But, Janet and Raymond do not believe that the word “coincidence” figures into their story. I shared with her my battle with prostate cancer and the ways that God continues to bless me even as the disease spreads. We both agree that God is in control of our lives to continue our stories—from the most hideous sicknesses to the most loving of relationships. Our life stories continue, and it’s up to us to share them with others! Thanks to Janet and Raymond for sharing your inspirational story which adds to the Hagenbuch genealogy.