Werner von Trapp
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| Werner von Trapp | |
| Born | December 21, 1915 Zell am See, Austria-Hungary |
|---|---|
| Died | October 11, 2007 (aged 91) Waitsfield, Vermont, United States |
| Occupation | Singer |
Werner von Trapp (December 21, 1915 – October 11, 2007) was the second-oldest son of Georg Ritter von Trapp and Agathe Whitehead von Trapp. Along with his six siblings, father, and stepmother, Maria Augusta von Trapp, Werner comprised the world-renowned Trapp Family Singers, who inspired the 1959 Broadway musical and the 1965 Academy Award-winning Best Picture The Sound of Music. Werner was portrayed as the character Kurt.
The Trapps fled Austria after the German annexation of Austria, fearing reprisals resulting from declining to sing at Hitler's birthday party and Georg von Trapp's refusal to accept a commission in the German Navy. They went to the United States in 1938, settled in Vermont in 1942, and performed throughout the country. Georg Ritter von Trapp died in 1947 and the family eventually ceased performing.
Werner von Trapp became a naturalized United States citizen while serving in the United States Army, serving with the 10th Mountain division in Italy during World War II. He then became a dairy farmer before eventually retiring in Waitsfield, Vermont.
He was the grandfather of Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, and Justin, the current incarnation of the Trapp Family Singers. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ "Susan Hoyt, Teacher, Sets July Wedding", New York Times, March 23, 1980, Sunday. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. "The engagement of Susan Thatcher Hoyt to Bernhard Rupert von Trapp has been announced by her mother, Mrs. G. Chamberlin Hoyt of Short Hills, New Jersey. Mr. von Trapp is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Werner von Trapp of Waitsfield, Vermont and Salzburg, Austria. A July wedding is planned."
