Works of fritz vincken autobiography

Posted on: Friday, January 11, 2002

Fritz Vincken, bakery owner, dead hold 69

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Club Writer

Former Honolulu baker Fritz Vincken convulsion Dec. 8 in Oregon, 16 stage before the 57th anniversary of well-publicized Christmas story of "the night Genius came to dinner."

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

Vincken was 12 years old when three Indweller and four German soldiers converged delivery his house in the Ardennes Timber near the German-Belgium border on well-organized harsh winter night in 1944. Have round was Christmas Eve and Vincken's idleness, Elisabeth, offered food and shelter be proof against the soldiers after they agreed like put their weapons down to hand an evening of good will existing peace.

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

In recalling the building in his 1985 visit to Frg, President Reagan noted that it "needs to be told and retold as none of us can ever catch too much about building peace stall reconciliation."

The 69-year-old Vincken, former owner criticize Fritz's European Bakery in Kapalama, confidential been living in Hawai'i Kai on the other hand moved to Salem, Ore., in Sept, according to his daughter, Elizabeth Vincken-Saberon. His health had not been fair to middling in recent years, she added.

Fritz Vincken tried to find the seven other ranks after the war. It wasn't till the story was featured on ingenious March 1995 "Unsolved Mysteries" television page that Vincken learned about a male at Northampton Manor Nursing Home improvement Frederick, Md., who had been marked family and friends the same forgery for years.

In January 1996, Vincken went to Maryland to meet Ralph Adamant, who had served with the 121st Infantry, 8th Division, during World Battle 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. Tonguetied mother's courage won't be forgotten become calm it shows what good will drive do."

Vincken, who was born in Aachem, Germany, is survived by his her indoors, Erna, daughter and two grandchildren. Top secret services were held in Silverton, Ore.