Ronnie Motta sent me this article. Hugo was a unique character during my days at St. Bonaventure University, not to mention for years before and years afterward.
A verifiable genius and more than passable piano player who had an annoying habit of translating pop songs into German before singing them, Hugo was obviously mentally disturbed and nearly incapable of normal social interaction. He would write long rambling letters on engineering topics to then-Congressman Amo Houghton, and proudly Xerox and post the form-letter responses (along with his original letters and commentary by himself) around campus. He also inspired characters in my radio work both at and after college.
He best summed up his existence in a quote to my friend Ed Hach: “You see, my brain does not function the way yours does.” Yet, he contributed to the world in ways he could never imagine. It’s sad to see his passing went relatively unnoted.
Allegany – Hugo C. Yahn of Willard Street died Monday
September 19, 2005 at the Waters of Houghton. Born in
Olean on March 4, 1958 he was the son of Arthur and
Winona Haseloff Yahn, Jr.
Mr. Yahn was a Salutatorian graduate of Archbishop
Walsh High School. He graduated from St. Bonaventure
University having a double major in German and
Physics. He was a talented musician who enjoyed
performing and recording and was well known for his
piano playing at the Old Library Restaurant. He was a
member of St. Bonaventure Church. Hugo was proud of
all of his nieces and nephews.
In addition to his mother he is survived by a sister
Patricia (James A.) McAuley of Hinsdale; two aunts
Diane Lucas of Wellington, OH and Charlotte Murphy of
Cuba, NY and many nieces and nephews and great nieces
and nephews. In addition to his father, he was
predeceased by a brother Dr. Arthur Yahn, III and a
sister Winona Sullivan.
Friends will be received on Wednesday (September 21,
2005) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128
West State Rd., Olean from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral
services will be conducted on Thursday (Sept. 22)
beginning with a prayer service at the funeral home at
9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at
10:00 AM at St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. Richard
Husted, OFM will be celebrant. Burial and committal
will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.
Memorials may be made to the American Life League.
‘s impression of Hugo can be heard in the second half of this bit from our college radio show. He is the first caller asking questions of our interview “guest.”
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