Subseries G: Sigfried and Ursula Kolmstetter, 1972-1996, 2019, 2024
Scope and Content
The second series contains files created, collected, or maintained by people affiliated with the RATC, both officers and individual members, about the history and operation of the RATC. It is divided into eight sub-series by person and in chronological order. Each subseries is organized based on topic, and original order is maintained where possible.
Dates
- 1972-1996, 2019, 2024
Creator
- From the Collection: Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club (Roanoke, Va.) (Organization)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research, except Box 22 which contains restricted materials. Restricted folders are identified within the inventory. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information.
Biographical Note
Siegfried and Ursula Kolmstetter joined the RATC in 1971. Siegfried served as vice president (1974) and counselor (1972-1973), while both volunteered as hike leaders for decades. The couple maintained the McAfee Knob section of the AT for over 25 years, until the couple moved out of the area in 1996. Siegfried received the Appalachian Trail Park Office’s Silver Service Award in 2002.
At the end of World War II in May 1945, 17-year-old Ursula Edith Walter (1927-2023) was captured by the Russian Army and imprisoned at the Theresienstadt prison camp. Eight (8) months after her imprisonment, she escaped and moved to West Germany, where she met Siegfried J. Kolmstetter (1921-2019). They married in 1952 and had several children. The Kolmstetters immigrated to the U.S. in 1957, settling in Roanoke in 1970. Siegfried was a physician for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salem from 1970 to 1998. He received the hospital’s Hands and Heart Award in 1992.
Sources:
Box 19, Folder 33, "Sigfried and Ursula Kolmstetter Obituaries," of this collection
Box 13, Folder 44, "RATC Board Members and Ancillaries, 1932-99 compiled by Diana Christopulos and Pam Wolsey, 2023-24," of this collection
Obituary for Ursula Edith Kolmstetter, The Roanoke Times, January 3, 2024, available online from Legacy.com, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/roanoke/name/ursula-kolmstetter-obituary?id=53995534, accessed September 19, 2025.
Dan Casey, "Physician was caretaker for people, trails," The Roanoke Times, March 28, 2019, p. 1-2, accessed online from NewsBank on September 22, 2025.
Extent
From the Collection: 29 Cubic Feet (24 boxes)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu