Alfred (Fredl) Krakauer

Alfred was the fifth of six children born to Jewish parents in a small town in Moravia, where his father ran a dry-goods and clothing store. The Krakauers spoke both Czech and German at home. In 1929 and 1930, after graduating from secondary school, Alfred served in the Czechoslovakian army. He enjoyed skiing and also played soccer for the Maccabi Jewish team.

1933-39: Alfred graduated in 1934 from Prague's Industrial School for Art. He became a graphic artist and decided to remain in Prague because of the city's cultural life and the economic opportunities it provided. In Prague he met and married Bedriska. In March 1939 the Germans occupied Bohemia and Moravia. Because Alfred was Jewish, he was dismissed from his job.

1940-44: Alfred and Bedriska's son, Tomas, was born during the second year of the German occupation. Alfred was conscripted to do road repair work. In 1943 the family was ordered to report to the railroad station for deportation to the Theresienstadt ghetto. The Krakauers complied. On October 28, 1944, Alfred, Bedriska and Tomas were deported to Auschwitz. Alfred was selected to do slave labor. His wife and son were gassed.

In March 1945 Alfred died of pneumonia in a slave-labor camp in central Germany. He was 33 years old.