Kurt Kent
"The measure of a person’s life cannot be measured in dollars. The decisions we make define us. Work hard, study and positively impact as many lives as you can."
Name at birth
Kirt Heinz Kantorowicz
Date of birth
09/23/1918
Where were you born?
Name of father, occupation
Edmund Kantorowicz,
Bookstore owner
Maiden name of mother, occupation
Hedwig Jaracze
Immediate family (names, birth order)
Parents, me, Ernst, Max (born June 1, 1903)
Who survived the Holocaust?
Three first cousins and I.
In August of 1938 the situation in Berlin was such that my mother knew the best thing was to get out of Germany. There were three of us, but my mother only could afford to send one. My brother had gotten sick, so she sent me. I bought a ticket to New York leaving from Southampton, England and left on October 1, 1938. This was just over a month before Kristallnacht which was November 9 and 10, 1938.
My mother and brother were deported to Riga, August 15, 1942 and were never heard from again.
When did you come to the United States?
October 1, 1938.
Where did you settle?
Initially in New York briefly, then Detroit.
Occupation after the war
Antique and contemporary furniture repair.
When and where were you married?
August 1956 at Temple Israel in Detroit.
Spouse
Ruth Kent
Children
Bernie Kent, CPA, Mark Kent, teacher.
Grandchildren
Five
What do you think helped you to survive?
My mother’s foresight in getting me out of the country.
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
The measure of a person’s life cannot be measured in dollars. The decisions we make define us. Work hard, study and positively impact as many lives as you can.
Experiences
Survivor's map
