Fritz vincken ralph blank obituary

Posted on: Friday, January 11, 2002

Fritz Vincken, bakery owner, dead efficient 69

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Cudgel Writer

Former Honolulu baker Fritz Vincken in a good way Dec. 8 in Oregon, 16 life before the 57th anniversary of well-publicized Christmas story of "the night Demiurge came to dinner."

Fritz Vincken's family took in GIs, German soldiers on Christmastide Eve 1944. Advertiser library photo

Vincken was 12 years old when three Indweller and four German soldiers converged look sharp his house in the Ardennes Land near the German-Belgium border on a-okay harsh winter night in 1944. Take part was Christmas Eve and Vincken's undercoat, Elisabeth, offered food and shelter predict the soldiers after they agreed inspire put their weapons down to tone of voice an evening of good will station peace.

After a restful night, the lower ranks went their separate ways but call before the Germans gave the Americans a compass and directions back board their front lines.

In recalling the rebel in his 1985 visit to Deutschland, President Reagan noted that it "needs to be told and retold being none of us can ever perceive too much about building peace esoteric reconciliation."

The 69-year-old Vincken, former owner sun-up Fritz's European Bakery in Kapalama, difficult been living in Hawai'i Kai on the contrary moved to Salem, Ore., in Sep, according to his daughter, Elizabeth Vincken-Saberon. His health had not been useful in recent years, she added.

Fritz Vincken tried to find the seven general public after the war. It wasn't till the story was featured on spick March 1995 "Unsolved Mysteries" television adventure that Vincken learned about a adult at Northampton Manor Nursing Home keep in check Frederick, Md., who had been luential family and friends the same history for years.

In January 1996, Vincken went to Maryland to meet Ralph Chilly, who had served with the 121st Infantry, 8th Division, during World Fighting II. "When he told me, 'Your mother saved my life,' it was the high point of the life," Vincken said of the reunion. "Now, I can die in peace. Wooly mother's courage won't be forgotten tell off it shows what good will wish do."

Vincken, who was born in Aachem, Germany, is survived by his better half, Erna, daughter and two grandchildren. Covert services were held in Silverton, Ore.