Robert's Fascinating Gift

The mystery of Robert had a lasting impact on us as kids ... because he was a visionary that knew when it was time to leave Germany and because of the above pictures. They show the car my dad bought from the money he was given: a brand new "Opel Kapitän", considered a pretty serious motorcar at its time. Not bad for a 25 year old man on his first mission as a diplomat to Japan! So, it was always on the agenda to find out what happened to him....

The Last 3 Postcards

The final one only contains generic messages that he is well and pleased that they are well. He refers to a chronic bronchitis and mentions he can hear the news on the radio and that all one can do is wait ... By now the postcard is also subject to German censorship and he has added that it is to go airmail via "Azores and Lisbon only" and it is stamped as "Trans Atlantic Route". That was the last sign of life that arrived.


The second one is addressed to one of his nieces, Hilde. Dated Nov. 14th 1939, he is saying that the length of the war is unpredictable and is expressing the hope that America does not get involved. He also expresses satisfaction that his gift to them was put to good use, a reference to the money he gave them. Note the UK censors stamp on the left of the image.


The fist one dates back to Oct. 14th. 1939 - apart from the usual exchange of greetings it refers to the fact that it is better to write postcards during times of war and censorship. Then he says, "do not worry about me, my retirement pension is enough to live on", followed by a reference to either a drink or a cigar. He continues "In an emergency I will go to a small town where, next to the doctor and the Mayor, I am the most important man in the town" Was this in Cook County ? Which small community is he refering to ? I expect his death certificate to tell us more.

Introduction

For many decades, the fate of Robert Bernhard Ludde remained a mystery. The last postcards he sent to his family were kept, but he was never hear of again. As I mentioned in my other blog about Mary Burnard (his mum) , his last visit to Germany 1938 convinced him that he never wished to return.

Rather than explore his fate step by step, in the age of the internet it took one day to clear up the mystery. He was born in 1877, went to live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in around 1908, appears in the 1910 Federal Census, lived in Cook County, Illinois at the time of Draft Registration for WWI, later lived in downtown Chicago during the 20, 30s and early 40s. His last known address was 5, West Chicago Avenue, which still exists today, occupied by Walsh Construction. He died on March 15th, 1944 in Cook County (Cert. No 0008309) and is buried at Wunders cemetery in Chicago. ...

End of Story ? No way, it merely means we must go into much greater detail. The first part of our investigation will trace his arrival in the USA - how did he get there, when did he become a citizen of the USA, where did he live etc. Trust him to pick the "Beer Capital" of the USA as starting point, along with many fellow Germans. The second part will trace his railroad career. If I am right that he worked for Chicago & North Western Railroad between 1920 & 1936, then there must be traces. The accounts say he had a senior position ... so it should be even easier. The third part will compare entries in the Federal Census records between 1910,20,30 and 40 - the last one he would have participated in. The amount of detail recorded was amazing. He must have done well to give away money to his nephews and nieces in 1938 - but what was the story by 1940? The fourth and final part will trace his death. Did he have a family and children? Was he ill, dying at the age of 67 ? Was there an obituary in the newspapers? Did he die poor and if not, what happened to his assets ?

As you can see - there will be plenty to explore once I get around to it. And - at least one more Photo picturing him outside his house in Chicago. However, this might take years, not days to complete. Enjoy!