Walter Frankenstein, a Holocaust Survivor, Passes Away at 100

On April 21, 2025, Walter Frankenstein, who turned 100, died in Stockholm after navigating the dangers of Nazi persecution in Berlin during World War II, showcasing both the harrowing reality and the unexpected kindnesses he experienced.

For over two years during the Holocaust, Walter Frankenstein, along with his family, lived as part of the estimated 6,500 Jews known as "human U-boats," who sought refuge amid the chaos of Nazi Berlin. They masked their identities, risking their lives in hidden corners such as bombed-out buildings, an opera house, or even abandoned cars, evading capture every day.

In a memorable incident from 1944, Frankenstein found himself in a precarious situation when a military policeman stopped him on a train, demanding to see his identification. Drawing on his wits, he disguised himself as a forced laborer who had misplaced his papers. When pressed further, Frankenstein bravely admitted he was Jewish, anticipating the worst fate at the hands of Nazis. Amazingly, instead of reporting him, the officer allowed him to leave, indicating his search was for deserters, not Jews.

This narrow escape exemplifies the daily perils Jews faced while hiding in plain sight, as noted by Richard N. Lutjens Jr., a professor of modern German history. He highlighted how these hidden Jews changed locations numerous times due to the threat of air raids and the suspicion of bystanders.

Walter Frankenstein was one of approximately 1,700 Jews who endured the war and survived, passing away on April 21, 2025, in Stockholm, where he had settled in 1956. His story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst horror, and he will be remembered not just for his survival, but also for the life he built thereafter.