Henry Margraf

Henry Arthur Margraf, 91, of Vienna, Va., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, April 25, 2002, in Washington, D.C.

He was born Jan. 30, 1911, in Cape Girardeau, son of William and Mary Rubel Margraf. He and Virginia Lee Albert were married May 3, 1940, in Cape Girardeau.

Margraf was a businessman, watchmaker, jeweler and gem expert. He owned and operated a jewelry business in Cape Girardeau from the end of World War II until 1993, when he sold the business.

The Margrafs moved to northern Virginia in 1994. He was a member of the historic Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Va.

During World War II he did the final machining and fine adjustments to the Gyros on the guidance systems for the airborne torpedo bombs at Ametorp torpedo plant in St. Louis. He had the highest "hit" rating of all the technicians in the factory, (as measured by World War II U.S. Navy records of munitions effectiveness).

Margraf served as a deacon and treasurer of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, and was president of Cape Girardeau Lions Club in 1957-58. He was honored as a 50-year member of St. Mark's Masonic Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Missouri.

He attended the old Broadway School and Central High School. He was a lifelong sports advocate and booster for Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University teams.

Before World War II he played semi-professional baseball on local ball clubs. In later years he won trophies in numerous golfing competitions at Cape Girardeau Country Club. When he was in his 70s, his bowling team won the city championship.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kay Ancell of Vienna; and a granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church.