Gary Lantzsch
My father Horst Lantzsch passed away with his wife Anita by his side a few weeks ago It was Grand Final day. You may have known Horst from the Cuckoo Restaurant in Olinda. This dedication is not so much about the restaurant but about the one who was the cuckoo in the nest.
You see, cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. Many people just assumed Horst was the owner of the restaurant when in fact he was the manager, a wage earner. The Cuckoo was owned by his sister Karin but he loved them both. Even Horst’s name seemed to pre-destine his career. If you take r out of Horst, you get ‘Host’ and his last name in German is pronounced ‘Lunch’. Perfect.
Horst would often say ‘My heart is an open book’ and he certainly gave that impression. What you may not know is what happened to him as a child. Horst was the youngest of five who was the only one sent away by his mother and step father to a ‘home’. This is when he developed what health professionals call a Trauma Bond with his sister Karin who would visit and bring chocolates. From that time, he developed an unconscious debt he felt he needed to pay. The young Horst was clever, determined and able to break out of the ‘home’ to return to his blood family but he was promptly sent back. He broke out again, but this time the nuns didn’t want him back. Why? Because he taught all the other kids how to break out. That’s Horst.
Horst believed in people. Like the time when a broke eighteen year old Alex turned up looking for work because he couldn’t get access to his $75 million dollar inheritance until he was 21. He claimed he was a Duke, got singing lessons from Elvis and had a commercial pilot’s licence. Horst let him stay at our house. Not many believed him. Horst did. A few years later, there’s Lord Alexander Montegue on TV’s A Current Affair with Jana Wendt showing off his fortune.
Horse racing was Horst’s big passion and every Saturday he’d religiously bet and watch the races. He said one of the best gifts he received was a video birthday message for his 80th from jockey Jamie Kah. Lady Gaga was his other fan crush. I wonder what the little monsters(Gaga fans) would think seeing an 80 year old at their Gaga concert? Horst was a rare breed.
Drama played a big part of Horst’s life at the Cuckoo. It was rife! Like when Horst was leaving the restaurant after closing on April Fools Day with a black garbage bag of old bread rolls to feed his ducks. A man with a shotgun took the bag thinking it had $30,000 and accidently shot his female accomplice in the bum. It made international news. Some time later, the children of the accomplice wanted to see the place where their mum got shot. Horst saw they were pretty upset so he gave them pancakes and ice cream. It’s what Horst did.
Yes, his people skills were his gift. He could charm the most unpleasant customer, turning their anger into laughter and becoming best mates in the end.
Oddly, Horst didn’t want a funeral. Strange for someone who liked the spotlight. But then it dawned on me, he didn’t value himself. Why? It was that old wound from when he was sent away to another nest. So, this writing is for you Dad. We love and value you and will always keep you in our hearts as this is where you belong. Yes the truth may be painful and ugly, but it’s beautiful too. It’s your story and it needs to be told.
Auf Wiedersehen, from your number one son Gary (his only son)
