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Diane Gwinn Schaaf sent this book review she found about OPRF: (I have removed the author's name and book title - If you want to know, just let us know)
The first book to lay bare the life of a Nazi camp guard who settled in a Chicago suburb and to explore how his community and others responded to discoveries of Nazis in their midst.
Reinhold Kulle seemed like the perfect school employee. But in 1982, as his retirement neared, his long-concealed secret came to light. The chief custodian at Oak Park and River Forest High School outside Chicago had been a Nazi, a member of the SS, and a guard at a brutal slave labor camp during World War II.
Similar revelations stunned communities across the country. Hundreds of Reinhold Kulles were gradually discovered: men who had patrolled concentration camps, selected Jews for execution, and participated in mass shootings—and who were now living ordinary suburban lives. As the Office of Special Investigations raced to uncover Hitler’s men in the United States, neighbors had to reconcile horrific accusations with the helpful, kind, and soft-spoken neighbors they thought they knew. Though Nazis loomed in the American consciousness as evil epitomized, in Oak Park—a Chicago suburb renowned for its liberalism—people rose to defend Reinhold Kulle, a war criminal.
Drawing on archival research and insider interviews, Oak Park and River Forest High School teacher Michael Soffer digs into his community’s tumultuous response to the Kulle affair. He explores the uncomfortable truths of how and why onetime Nazis found allies in American communities after their gruesome pasts were uncovered.
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Thanks to Bob and Dale who planned our 80th and put on a wonderful party.. Since Sharon and I are now full time Michiganders, I was unable to do the legwork. I may have suggested we do a birthday party, but, Bob and Dale stepped up and did all the planning, etc. I must have trained tjhem well (LOL), bur they did the work'.
Thanks guys.
Al
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For all River Forest Junior High graduates, I got this from the class of 61's site- Mr Reichenbach was our shop teacher.
Relatives and Friends of Richard Reichenbach,
You may have learned that Richard Henry Reichenbach passed away on March 22 at Lightways Hospice Center in Joliet.
His children, Mike, Cheryl and Steve, will hold a memorial for him on March 6 at Illinois Air Museum in Bolingbrook, Illinois on Saturday May 6. We anticipate a start for the event at 3:30 PM with a buffet following. Interment of ashes will likely be on Monday May 8 in southern Illinois. We will have more details in the next week.
Please let me know if you are interested in attending the memorial in person or online.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, wife Velma, and sister-Betty Erickson. He is survived by his sister Joan Van Note, daughter-Cheryl, sons-Michael (Kristina) and Steven (Barbara), and six grandchildren. He was born on October 5th, 1927 in Chicago, IL, to Henry and Edna (Sues) Reichenbach. He grew up in Northwest Chicago in a close-knit family with multiple generations living in the same neighborhood. Following graduation from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1945, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a surgical technician during WWII.
He attended the University of Illinois--Urbana and met wife, Velma, whom he married in 1952. Following graduation, they moved back to the Chicago area, and he taught drafting at Lane Tech high school. Building on his talent for teaching and engaging students, he went on to teach industrial arts at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest establishing a diverse curriculum including woodworking, drafting, metalworking, plastics, electronics, leatherwork, and even personal computers well before mainstream adoption. Known as Mr. Rick to many, he inspired literally generations of students over his 35 year teaching tenure. Even after retirement, he continued teaching youth while initiating programs at the Latin school in Chicago and volunteering with boy scouts. He always had a new project going and passed on his creative skills and tradition of crafts to his grandchildren, young relatives and neighbors.
He was a long-time resident of Oak Park, IL where he and Velma raised their three children. There he was known for helping others with various home repair projects as well as being the first out with his snow blower and helping clear neighbor’s sidewalks and alleyways. After their children set out on their own, Richard and Velma moved back to Northwest Chicago before moving to a retirement community in Brookfield. After Velma passed, Richard moved to a retirement community in Romeoville IL.
Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and remarkable teacher who was always finding new projects to spark the imagination of students and bring out their best efforts. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, and all the lives whom he touched.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to Lightways Hospice or support scholarships to the Chicago Industrial Arts and Design Center. More information about these organizations will be available in my next email.
Mike Reichenbach
3676 Bayview Dr.
Barnum, MN 55707
218-340-4244
mikereichenbach1@gmail.com
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