June 21, 1921—October 22, 2013
John Werner Friedmann, who survived the very worst of the 20th century in Europe, but contributed and left a lasting legacy in Seattle, died at age 92 on Tuesday, October 22 at the Kline Galland Home in Seattle.
Werner was born in Glogau, the Silesia region of Germany. His father Alfred was a lawyer and counselor for the City of Glogau, a profession Werner would likely have followed, but tragedy intervened. At age 11, his mother Ilse suddenly died, and as Hitler and the Nazi regime rose to power, it altered Werner’s life permanently. On Kristallnacht in November 1938 (the Night of Broken Glass), he and his younger brother Hellmuth watched as his father, even as a respected member of the community, was taken from their home and sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Denied the ability to continue in school or train for professions, Werner and Hellmuth were sent to ORT schools to be taught skills still allowed for Jews.
Werner obtained an affidavit and exited Germany, arriving in England in 1939. He would never see his father or his brother again; both were murdered in transport to Auschwitz.
Despite a life begun so tragically, and a family lineage almost terminated, Werner began an energetic, good-natured life of positive contributions, community leadership and family.
Taken in by a Quaker family, he enrolled in drafting courses and worked at an engineering firm for the war effort. As German rockets rained upon London, Werner joined the corps of young men organized to rescue survivors from collapsing buildings. He would always be grateful to the English for saving his life, and proud to later become a British citizen.
In 1947, at age 26, Werner changed his name to John and moved to the New York area, where he quickly immersed himself in clubs of young refugees. In 1949 he met and married Ursula Rosenbusch, who had been visiting from Chile, where her family had found safe harbor during the war.
The couple bought a car, packed their belongings, and headed west to Seattle. John immediately found work at Titan Chainsaw, designing saws for the booming timber industry. Later he would begin a 27-year career at Pacific Car and Foundry (predecessor of PACCAR) in Renton.
In 1952, John and Ulla bought their first house on Mercer Island. As Mercer Island grew, John was very much involved. He and a handful of islanders advocated for a pathway along Island Crest Way, then in its planning stages, for bicycles and pedestrians. Even 50 years later, the path remains as tangible evidence of his commitment.
John served as Democratic precinct committeeman, hosting coffees for Senators Scoop Jackson and Warren Magnuson in his home. He was a delegate to the state Democratic convention and a delegate for Jackson for President.
As the Jewish population of Mercer Island and Bellevue grew, John and a few other pioneers established Congregation Ner Tamid, which eventually became Herzl-Ner Tamid, and John served as a board member.
John also chaired the committee for the Holocaust memorial, designed and created by Auschwitz survivor Giselle Berman, that stands prominently at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island.
John Friedmann’s bright eyes and cheerful smile were an important part of the Kline Galland community, where he received wonderful care during the last two years of his life. Desta’s tender care and companionship were vital to him. His son and daughter, Danny Friedmann of Seattle and Judy Benami of Mercer Island, were devoted to their father’s care. His son Peter Friedmann visited from Washington, DC frequently. Their spouses Debbie Friedmann, Julie Cwinar and David Benami, and his grandchildren Joey, Ben, Josh and Jessie Friedmann, and Tomer and Adi Benami were regular companions to John throughout these years.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to Camp Solomon Schechter, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound Foundation, and the Kline Galland Home.