Actually, Aweful means, awesome. It was used in olden times, and in the biblical times. They said Jesus was Aweful. Meaning he was awe inspiring, or made you full of awe......
So Uwe is not out of order in his choice of words from his second language. As apperaing smarter, I am sure he also speaks other languages, also, how many do you speak?
And I have no doubt, he in no way meant anything disrespectful.
Wayne