Ralph Rehbock - NNN 2022

Ralph was born in Gotha, Germany, a city in the Thuringia region, where his family lived for many generations. An only child, born to Hans and Ruth Rehbock, Ralph describes how his proud and successful family lost their jobs and businesses after the Nazis took power. His father’s passport and driver’s license were also revoked. His courageous mother contacted cousins in Chicago who sponsored the Rehbocks’ emigration to America. Ruth was allowed to sail to America alone to obtain all necessary papers for emigration. In an ironic turn of events, the Rehbock family arrived in Berlin for their scheduled interview at the U.S. embassy and witnessed the terror of Kristallnacht before escaping to freedom! Today, Ralph Rehbock is First Vice President of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center and is an active member on the Museum’s Speaker’s Bureau.