Henry Landauer

Henry Landauer, 96, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 26, 2016. Henry was born on May 17, 1920, in Michelbach an der Lucke, Germany, the son of Ricka Heckscher (1884-1984) and Nathan Landauer (1877-1966). At the age of six he moved to the nearby town of Crailsheim, Germany. He was the youngest of three children, having had two sisters, Senta (1910- 2004) and Beatrice (1913-1998). He immigrated to the United States at the age of 18, arriving in New York City on April 1, 1938.

Henry Landauer’s military career was most fascinating, having met and served under General Patton. Because of his knowledge of Germany and the German culture he was selected to serve in a special military intelligence unit during World War II. Since the training took place at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, the soldiers in this unit became known as the “Ritchie Boys.” They were primarily utilized for interrogation of prisoners on the front lines and counter-intelligence in Europe. Henry also served as an Intelligence Instructor to the 10th Mountain Division (ski patrols) in Camp Hale (now Vail), Colorado. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 30 assigned to the Military Intelligence team of the 7th Armored Division. He was active near Basogne during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. He met the Russians at the Elbe River and was among the first U.S. forces to arrive at the Nordhausen/Hartz concentration camp. He was asked to be a translator for the Nuremberg trials, but returned home to the U.S. to spend time with his new wife, Ruth.

After the war, Henry worked in the export of hides and skins in New York City, having completed a tanning and leather apprenticeship in Ulm, Germany. The family lived in Bell Park, Queens, New York and then Paramus, New Jersey and in 1967 moved to Park Forest, Illinois where Henry managed the warehouse operation for M. Aschheim Company in the Chicago area.

Henry retired in 1990, but was busier than ever volunteering in his synagogue (Men's Club and working regularly at the local shelter for the homeless), serving as president of the Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society, driving senior citizens to their doctors' appointments, helping new Russian immigrants settle into the American way of life, and as an active member of the Kiwanis and Jewish War Veterans. He was also the family genealogist and had made contact with many family members throughout the world. Henry and Ruth were honored at an Israeli Bond dinner for their active participation in the Jewish community.

After retirement, Henry and Ruth were snowbirds, departing the cold, snowy winters of Chicago area for the warmer Florida climate, spending their time in Wynmoor Village in Coconut Creek, Florida where they enjoyed their condominium at 1705 Andros Isle. There, they spent many wonderful times with their Floridian friends and many family members.

Henry was always full of vim and vigor, going to the gym regularly well into his 95th year. He continued to drive his Toyota Camry to the age of 95, having passed his Illinois driving test. At the age of 95, Henry and Ruth relocated to a senior living community, Lincolnwood Place, where they lived independently in a beautiful two bedroom apartment. In 2016, Henry developed congestive heart failure, as a result of a damaged mitral valve that could not be repaired.

Henry is survived by his wife Ruth (Lotte) of nearly 73 years. Henry and Ruth’s immediate family includes three sons and 5 grandchildren: Michael and his partner Karen Goodman of Bethesda, Maryland; Ronald and his wife Lynn of Wilmette, Illinois and their three sons, Joshua, Jonathan, and Jordan; and Jeffery and his wife Colleen of Chicago, Illinois and their two sons, Daniel and Andrew.

He is also survived by numerous friends and family, many of whom celebrated his 70th (2013) wedding anniversary in Florida, having been married to Ruth on December 29, 1943. These include the children of his sister Senta: John and Steven and his sister Beatrice: Gerald and Corrine. He was also very close to his nieces and nephews of his wife’s sister Elsie: Rick, Jay, Julie, and Brent and her brother Ken’s children, Mark David, Steven, Aviva, and Debbie and their families.

Memorial donations may be made to Henry and Ruth’s synagogue, Congregation Am Echad, 1424 W. 183rd St., Homewood, IL 60430 or the Jewish United Fund.