This is one of an occasional series intended to paint a cumulative portrait of our Jewish community.
Individuals for this column are selected at random from the Milwaukee Jewish Federation community database. The Chronicle does not have access to donor information, or contact members of the community with regard to their giving habits.
Today we focus on Edward Neubauer.
Though the walls of Edward Neubauer’s Glendale condo are covered with photos of his family, children, and grandchildren, one particular room is dedicated to the images of his many accomplishments and experiences.
One image in that room contains what at first glance looks like an ordinary small fork and spoon. But upon closer examination, the initials “AH” are visible on the bottom of each utensil.
Those initials stand for Adolph Hitler, said Neubauer, 82. He took the set when he arrived at Dachau in 1945, the day after the camp was liberated. Part of Hitler’s personal service, the set also included a knife, which Neubauer has since lost.
Neubauer, who served three years in the 42nd infantry division, said that at the time, “We called it liberating … but of course it was stealing.”
When Neubauer arrived at the camp that day, he remembers how he saw “bodies stacked up” by the gas chambers. He also remembers he “saw a lot of dead Germans,” the guards that prisoners killed when they had the chance.
Neubauer, who also has a bronze star that he earned in the military, displays the utensils on the wall along with other war paraphernalia, including medals, his medic badge, dog tags and dispatch papers. “I am proud of my service.”
Interest in business
Neubauer and his wife Helene moved to the condo over a year ago after living in Shorewood for 56 years — the same number of years they have been married.
Born in Milwaukee, Neubauer grew up on the East Side, where his father ran Neubauer Foods grocery store for 40 years. The store was located on the corner of Murray and Greenwich Avenues.
Before and after college, he worked for the store on various tasks, including delivering groceries, circulars, taking orders, and making statements.
The store had two delivery trucks and they also had the first Bird’s Eye frozen food case in the Milwaukee area, he said.
Neubauer attended Riverside High School and after he graduated and completed his military service, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Because of his experience working with retailing in his father’s store, Neubauer said, and “because department store merchandising interested me,” he decided to pursue a degree in business administration, which he received in 1949.
Neubauer selected the field because he enjoyed “meeting people and stimulating sales.” He also said he liked working with people, “both customers and associate employees.”
It was after college, while still working for his father, that Neubauer met Helene, he said.
Helene’s father owned a produce business, Neubauer said, and he had “seen her working in their office.”
Neubauer attributes his happiness and success to his marriage. “Helene is a charitable wife and good mother; that is what helped me most” in life.
Neubauer’s interest in business led him to a career with Kohl’s Department Stores, where he worked 20 years. During his time there, Neubauer managed the openings of two Kohl’s stores, at their Bayshore and Southridge locations. He retired in 1989.
Now, Neubauer spends his times exploring his hobbies, which include reading history books, and eating out at different restaurants around town (his favorite food is Mexican).
He also volunteers for one full day each week at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, where he works in the admission’s office. He has been volunteering there for over five years.
He likes the work because he gets to meet and help people. “I enjoy it because I am doing some good,” he said.
Neubauer and his wife have three sons: Mark, who lives in Los Angeles; Frederic, who lives in Northbrook, Ill.; and James, who lives in Milwaukee. They also have eight grandchildren, of whom “we’re very proud,” he said.
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