born 4 September 1908 in Berlin
died 29 July 2001 in Auckland, New Zealand
historical former address Lindenstraße 2, Ketschendorf
today Pappelweg 13, Fürstenwalde South
Stumbling stone Dr.-Wilhelm-Külz-Straße 43
Date of stone-laying 19 May 2022
Fritz Richnow was born in Berlin on 4 September 1908. His parents Ernst and Luise Richnow (née Henning) broke up soon after their marriage; Fritz grew up with his grandparents in Falkenburg (Polish: Złocieniec), while his mother trained as a nurse in Berlin. After finishing school, he moved with his mother in 1923 to Fürstenwalde, where Luise initially worked as a nurse for the Jewish family of Rosa and Richard Behrendt. Later, she acquired the position of company nurse at the Henry Hall machine factory and iron foundry, which was run by Richard Behrendt. Fritz began a four-year apprenticeship at the Henry Hall factory in the same year.
On 24 April 1924, Luise married Walter Cohn (later Brandt), the brother of her employer Rosa Behrendt. Together with Fritz, she moved into Walter’s house at Lindenstraße 2 (today Pappelweg 13) on the housing estate “Eigene Scholle” in Ketschendorf. Fritz had two half siblings, Alice Maria Lilly, born on 12 April 1928, and Walter Peter Theodor, born on 13 November 1929. In 1927, Fritz completed his apprenticeship at the factory and changed to AEG in Berlin, where he began evening classes in engineering at the same time.
After the National Socialists seized power in 1933, Luise and Walter decided to leave Germany with their family. Fritz joined them and left for New Zealand via England, Canada and Hawaii on 26 September 1934. They landed in Auckland on 29 October 1934.
In 1938, Fritz married Edna Mary (née ???), and two years later their daughter Anna was born. The family lived in Manurewa. On 16 October 1946, Fritz was granted New Zealand citizenship and changed his first names to “Fred Ernst”. That same year, he began working at a local enterprise, where he remained employed until his retirement. Fred Richnow died in Auckland on 29 July 2001.
Family members:
Karl Walter Brandt (formerly Cohn)
Luise Brandt née Henning (formerly Richnow, formerly Cohn)
Alice Maria Lilly Doole née Cohn (later Brandt)
Walter Peter Theodor Brandt (formerly Cohn)