Please join me in congratulating a wonderful man on getting his HS diploma

[havocmom]

This gentleman is a really great human being, teacher, mover & shaker. Survived the Holocaust and has made a huge difference to thousands of lives.



We met him when my daughter was doing a paper for a high school class and needed information on conditions in Hitler's death camps. The Holocaust Survivors Group had him contact her. He graciously met us and allowed her to interview him. He also came to her class to speak, then to the whole school. That was back around 88 or 89.

Seems he is still talking to young people. He makes sure older people have decent housing, working on a retirement community now. He is still going strong. He is simply an amazing man.

Read about Gerd. He is a real inspiration.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/history_culture/24599.php

Congratulations, Gerd, on that belated diploma. You have taken course work none of us would envy. The knowledge you share with young people makes an impact that lasts in their lives.

Thanks for all you taught my daughter. If she is a decent human being, it is partly your influence. In a world so filled with hate, she had the good luck to meet a great man and learn from him. You are still an inspiration, Gerd Strauss.

[TK421]

1. This just goes to show you that anyone can rise above certain odds

in order to achieve what they want

[Broken_Hero]

7. spot on, I couldn't have said it better...:) nt

[evlbstrd]

2. Conratulations to Gerd.

Just when you think that people are shit, along come someone like Gerd to prove you wrong. And thank goodness.

[havocmom]

5. Thought DU might do with a bit of good human interest

Many thanks to my Wayward Daughter for emailing the story and link. Needed that today. Sorta puts our problems and frustrations in perspective. Gerd never gives up. That's a treasure to hold on to as we face the powers of inhumanity.

[Luna_Chick]

6. It was my pleasure - Here's more

The low-income housing complex he also championed for Tucson elderly was completed last week as well. Named after his late wife, Inge. Think I'll give him a call this week..been a few months since I last rang him up to thank him for his influence.

http://www.azstarnet.com/neighbors/144656

East Side
Senior manor is dream fulfilled
Complex opens for elderly with moderate means
By Patty Machelor
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.01.2006

A new development for limited-income seniors opening next week on Tucson's East Side is not only the realization of Gerd Strauss's dream, it also fulfills one of his wife's last wishes.

The B'nai B'rith Gerd and Inge Strauss Manor on Pantano includes 81 apartments for seniors over age 62.

"This is the finest building for moderate-income elderly I've seen,'' Gerd Strauss said. "That's what we set out to do and that's what we've got."
An opening reception and monument unveiling will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the building at 370 N. Pantano Road.

Strauss received $6.5 million for the project from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development just weeks after his wife's death in 2003. Inge Strauss encouraged him to apply, he said, and liked the site even though it was on a hillside and would require more work to build.

"She just felt it was the right location,'' he said.

Truckloads of extra dirt have long since been removed and the building, which has a Santa Barbara flair, now sits on level ground overlooking the roadway. The 81 apartments include four designed for handicapped use, Strauss said.

The building includes an exercise room — a gift from Bank of America — as well as a full kitchen for special events and two all-purpose rooms for activities and gatherings. There is also a library.

Amy Sandler-Stuchen is an interior designer who volunteered her time to make the complex "look like home."

She said she thought of her own grandfather and wanted to make it the kind of place he'd like to live. Sandler-Stuchen's approach includes soft colors and comfortable furniture.

"When you walk through the front doors, I hope what happens is it looks like you're walking into someone's living room,'' she said.

She said she was happy to donate her time.

"I had a grandfather who lived until he was 87 years old and I think that generation is often forgotten about, often forced to live in conditions that are not acceptable," she said.

This isn't the first time Gerd Strauss has given his time and energy to such a project. He also spearheaded the 1995 opening of the B'nai B'rith Covenant House, 4414 E. Second St., and worked to establish a similar housing facility in Maryland before retiring to Tucson.

Both Tucson establishments were funded by HUD and cater to seniors with incomes of less than $18,000 a year. The housing is open to anyone who qualifies regardless of race or religion.

In 2000, 15.2 percent of U.S. residents 65 and older had an annual family income of less than $10,000, while 29.8 percent had an income under $15,000, according to Social Security Administration figures based on census data.
Strauss, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, said he is motivated to help others because of his own history. A native of Giessen, Germany, Strauss spent eight months in the Buchenwald concentration camp when he was 20. His father died at Theresienstadt and his mother was sent to the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
Like the Covenant House, the Manor on Pantano is also sponsored by B'nai B'rith, one of the largest Jewish sponsors of affordable housing for the elderly nationwide.

East Side
● Send East Side Neighbors story ideas to Patty Machelor at [e-mail] or call 806-7737.
:hi:

[havocmom]

8. Wow, he has been busy!

Thanks for the update.

Good to be reminded of all the wonderful people we encounter. Need a break from bad news.

People like Strauss are an inspiration. We need to notice the heros among us. Their good energy is a growing thing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I am honored, my dear havocmom, to congratulate

this truly outstanding gentleman!

Diplomas are not given for the experiences he lived through.....

How lucky for your daughter that she got to be taught by him..........

Would that more folks could be too.....

:applause: :applause:

[u4ic]

4. What an amazing man Gerd is

Congratulations to him; and kudos to the HS student behind the effort, Adam Zeldin. :toast:

[Richard Steele]

9. I would be willing to congratulate an ORDINARY man for that...

But Mr. Strauss is no ordinary man; I just want to thank
YOU for pointing him out, HM!

Congratulations, Gerd Strauss!
For this accomplishment, and for all you do every day: :toast:

[havocmom]

11. Thanks for the link to story go to Luna_Chick

She keeps me current on the feats of this amazing man. ;)

[Luna_Chick]

13. Why aren't you in bed, young lady??

N/T :hug:

[havocmom]

14. ooops, I am SOOO busted

turning in soon, Wayward.

[SeattleGirl]

10. What a fascinating man.

Your daughter is fortunate indeed, to have met him. And kudos to him for the work he does.

[Oeditpus Rex]

12. Stories like this really get to me

Bless this wonderful guy. :hug:

[havocmom]

15. You would adore him OR.

You really would.

[Oeditpus Rex]

19. I already do

:hug:

[Luna_Chick]

17. I'll be sure to forward all your kind thoughts to him

He still travels often and continues to be extremely active in the community. Good reminder to the rest of us, whenever we complain about little things that get us tired.

[Kajsa]

16. What a beautiful story and a great man!

Thanks so much for sharing this!

:hi:

[Reverend_Smitty]

18. What a nice story

I was having a crappy evening but after reading this, it made my night better. You gotta love stories where people beat the odds

[havocmom]

21. See, people like him make our lives better, whether we meet him or not

We spend so much time and energy dwelling on the bad stuff. We have to refill our cups with some of the good too. Can't run on empty. Draw energy from each other, and give it back.

We are all conduits, if we do it right. Our efforts may not make our own lot better but our souls grow and add much to the collective human condition.

Can we keep this one kicked for a bit more? Luna_Chick emailed the link to this thread to Mr. Strauss. Would be nice to let him know he inspired us all to live a bit better today.

[LaraMN]

20. That's fantastic!

What a great story! I hope he's very proud.