Werner von Trapp

Infobox Person
name = Werner von Trapp
birth_date = birth date|1915|12|21
birth_place = flagicon|Austria-Hungary Zell am See, Austria-Hungary
death_date = death date and age|2007|10|11|1915|12|21
death_place = flagicon|Vermont 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. Werner was named after his paternal uncle, who died during WWI 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. His sisters Agathe and Maria are still alive.

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. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Susan Hoyt, Teacher, Sets July Wedding |url= |quote=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. |publisher=New York Times |date=March 23, 1980, Sunday |accessdate=2007-07-21 ]

References

William Anderson/David Wade, The World of the Trapp Family, 1998

External links

* [http://www.trappfamily.com/familystory/history.php?tid=156 Listing from Trapp Family Lodge]
* [http://www.archives.gov/northeast/boston/exhibits/von-trapp.html The von Trapp Family in Federal Records]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/25/1093246585043.html?from=storyrhs von Trapp Kids Keep the Tradition]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article2657880.ece Obituary in "The Times", 15 October 2007]
* [http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/famousperson/von_trapp/2654583 Werner Von Trapp - Public Tribute and Obituary]
* [http://www.trappfamily.com/familystory/history.php?tid=572] Von Trapp Family Obituary