Felix Brinkmann 1918-2009
“I feel I had a fortunate life. Even going through the three concentration camps, I somehow was able to make the best out of the worst. I never would have thought growing up as a boy in Riga, Latvia that I would end up in the greatest city (NYC), in the greatest country in the world (USA).”
These are the words my father spoke to me two weeks ago, July 14th, when I last visited him in NY. My dad survived three concentration camps for 12 months, Auschwitz, Mauthausen, and Ebensee. He came to NY in 1947 with $5 in his pocket and unable to speak English. Eventually in 1971 he partnered with Mel Steir and Joe Cavalaro to open what would become one of the premier discotheques in NYC, the Adams Apple, (1st Ave and E 61st St.)
Last year my father was hospitalized for the whole month of July with Hepatits B. I spent most of last summer in NYC caring for him. During the following month of August he couldn’t even remember being hospitalized. I took him back to Oregon at the end of the summer. After 1 week of Naturopathic (holistic natural medicine) care at the Center for Traditional Medicine and Nature Cures, he could remember the date and time we were flying back to NY.
To illustrate the kind of guy he was, two months after being freed from the concentration camp he was crossing a bridge in Germany and was stopped by a Russian guard. My father who spoke Russian explained what had happened to him and that his family had been killed. Then another man tried to cross the bridge. The Russian stopped him and because he wore a German army coat pulled back the man’s shirt to reveal an SS tatoo. He was an SS officer. The Russian soldier handed the machine gun to my father and told him to kill the German for my father’s family. My father said, “No” and handed the gun back to him. The Russian then shot the SS man.
Last November my father celebrated his 90th birthday. (See pictures of the party and pictures here.) Although he didn’t “have to” work he loved to work and managed a commercial building in the Bronx owned by his former partner (Mel Steir). He would drive there everyday, seven days a week. Working was one of his pleasures. Three weeks ago when his car was being repaired he walked 6 blocks to the subway station, took the train to the Bronx, walked another 3 blocks to arrive at work on time. In fact the “alarm” that something was wrong was sounded by the superindentent Julio at the buidling. When Felix didn’t show up, Julio knew something was wrong. It literally took someone killing my father to stop him from going to work.
His end is certainly a shock to me, but at the same time I know my Dad and even if he survived this attack he would have had no complaints. He knew as I do that we all have to “go” sometime. He told me that, “when faced with death I simply choose life and never gave up.” I know my Dad would not have been happy having to be cared for by someone or not being able to live his life functional (working) and independent. Even when I would try to get him to take a week off and come visit me in Oregon he would resist saying, “He didn’t want to leave the United States.” Going relatively quick is something he would have wanted.
For their amazing stories of survival see:
8/2/09 “Assholes & Angels” an audio of when my mother asked to die and hope came from an unexpected source
7/21/09 “Escape of Diana” (My mother’s twin sister’s escape from a death march.)
6/2/09 “Simone’s Story of Escape and Survival” (My mother’s escape from a death march.)
4/3/09 “Priorities in Black & White part 2” (My father’s life and his 90th birthday party.
1/28/09 “Happy Birthday Mom” (my Mom, an identical twin survives being picked by Dr. Mengele)
9/11/08 “Priorities in Black & White part 1”
Link to movie about Felix Brinkmann’s life made for his 90th birthday last November.
Quicktime version: The Felix Brinkmann Story (16 min)
AVI version: The Felix Brinkmann Story (16 min)
Photo Gallery: http://gallery.me.com/dr_rickbrinkman#100088
August 1st, 2009 at 8:17 am
I’m so sorry for your loss Rick. I’m guessing your father was defiant in his last moments, just as he had stood up for his life so many times in the past, and I’m sure he derived some pleasure from that defiance, as that and his extraordinary will to live (not just be alive) were distinguishing characteristics. And I’m guessing he would actually have preferred this swift exit to a lingering dissipation. Still, it’s so very sad. I have only positive memories of Felix. He had a ready smile and laugh, was playful, strong willed. He was always friendly to me. And as I discovered when we visited him in NYC some years ago, much loved and admired by his friends. May you find comfort, may Felix rest in peace.
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Even though I never met him, I feel that I knew him through your blog. His story has touched my life and am truly sorry to hear of his tragic death.
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Ricky,
I spoke to Alan a little while ago. My mother’s there visiting, he told me anout your father. Naturally I am in shock, words cannot express the deep loss I feel for you & your family & for everyone who knew him & cared for him. He was a special man, you are a special man also, so hold your head high & remember the good times & all the wisdom he shared with you & your family.
So now I suppose he’s again united with your mother & they are content again, maybe even dancing. I hope you find comfort in knowing how loved your father was by so many people. Cherish the moments even though they may be hard, they are your moments to remember always.
Take care, you & your family are in my thoughts. You’re a good man just like your dad.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
So sorry. He was and still is in my world a great man. I was his DJ at Adam’s Apple and I will always remember the fun and great memories of him. I still to this day remember his favorite songs. God Bless
August 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Rick,
I only have read stories about your dad, I never got to meet him. What a joy it is to read about someone who grabbed life by the horns and drank its nectar to the end.
August 7th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Rick, again I am so sorry.I love the srories and wish I could of met your father. Brittney had the chance to meet him last summer and enjoyed metting and spending time with your dad.It is graet that you do have the stories and of course the memories.
Hugs to you and the family.
August 8th, 2009 at 4:14 am
I have been reading your stories about both of your parents. I am very so sorry for your recent loss. The cowards who took your father’s life will never understand his strength and courage.
I wish I could have known him. Thank you for sharing your memories– it’s a very loving tribute to your father and making story live in perpetuity. Best of luck to you.
August 10th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Dear Rick,
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your brave father. I have just learned of his amazing selfless life through the news article of his death. Words cannot convey how deeply touched I am to read of him and can only feel saddened that I never had the pleasure of meeting such a forgiving selfless generous man.
I am sharing your fathers story with my children whom I homeschool. The holocaust, I have no words to describe my feelings to you about, and I can’t imagine having to have lived through that. It is a part of history that makes my heart feel so much pain and sadness. How proud you must be of your parents.
May you find comfort in the memories of your father. I am truly sorry for your loss, but I am sure he is now dancing in heaven!