Alfred Dietrich Rendelstein (Rendell)

Alfred Dietrich RENDELSTEIN (later: Alfred D. RENDELL), born on January 26^th, 1919 in Vienna/Austria (entitled residency ("heimatberechtigt") for Vienna/Austria, citizenship 1938: Austria), son of Dr. Joel/Julius Rendelstein (1881–1968, physician) and Leopoldine Josefine Rendelstein, née Kukula (1878–1958). He lived in Vienna's 15^th district, Gablenzgasse 15, had successfully passed the school-leaving examination (Matura) at the Bundesrealgymnasium in Vienna's 7^th district in 1937 and began studying medicine at the University of Vienna in the fall term of 1937/38. In the spring term of 1938, he was enrolled in the 1^st year of studies at the Medical School.

From 1938 on, after the takeover of power of National-Socialism he was discriminated as a so called "Mischling 1. Grades" although Roman Catholic since his father was considered Jewish (although he had converted from the Jewish Community of Vienna to the Catholic faith in 1925), and could continue his studies at the University of Vienna provisionally upon revocation at any time.

When "Mischlinge" had to submit an application to the Reich Ministry of Education in Berlin in advance for further admission to studies as of the 1st trimester 1940, Alfred Dietrich Rendelstein submitted an application to continue his studies on March 23^rd, 1940. In accordance with the regulations, the dean of the responsible medical faculty, Eduard Pernkopf, enclosed an expert opinion with the application, which "in particular [had to] address the personal impression about the personality and appearance of the applicant. It is to be mentioned whether and to what extent characteristics of the Jewish race are outwardly recognizable in the applicant." [Decree of the Reicherziehungsministerium, January 5^th, 1940]. In his expert opinion of April 26^th, 1940, he stated succinctly: "Dietrich Rendelstein is a Mischling of the first degree. Grades. The Jewishness stands out."
At this time Rendelstein was in his 4^th year of studies and had passed all examinations of the I. Rigorosum with success, had already been assented to the German Wehrmacht (Wehrpass Wien II, 19, XI/157) but for the time being had been granted leave to continue/complete his medical studies.
On June 19^th, 1940, the Reicherziehungsministerium (Ministry of Education) announced its decision (WF 2541) that, after consultation with the Reichsinnenministerium (Ministry of the Interior), Rendelstein, although a "Mischling of the 1^st degree," would nevertheless be admitted to the medical examination by way of exception, since he had already passed the preliminary examination (1^st Rigorosum), with the express indication that he would not be allowed to graduate and to receive a certificate (professional license) as a physician in the German Reich.
According to the old study regulations, he would have been entitled to enter the viva in July 1941 after the licensed 5^th year, but this was not allowed until March 1942, and after passing the 2^nd and 3^rd viva (each consisting of four individual examinations), Alfred Dietrich Rendelstein would have been entitled to graduate on February 1^st, 1943. However, his application for admission to the gain the academic degree "Dr.med.univ." was rejected by the Reich Ministry of Education as previously announced: without proof of certification as a physician (which was generally not granted to "Mischlinge 1. Grades") no admission to the doctorate.

It was only after the end of National Socialism that he was able to obtain his "Dr.med. univ." from the University of Vienna in the first post-war doctorate on June 8^th, 1945, with the doctoral diploma being issued retroactively from February 1^st, 1943, the day on which he had fulfilled all the requirements for the award of the doctoral degree, apart from proving his "Aryan" ancestry.

He then worked as a visiting physician at the Lainz Hospital and at the II Univ. Women's Clinic in the General Hospital of Vienna (AKH), and part-time as a theater doctor. He received his license to practice gynecology and obstetrics on June 20^th, 1946, and set up his own practice at his old home address in Vienna's 15^th district, Gablenzgasse 15, and lived in Vienna's 1^st district, Reichsratsstrasse 9/12a.
An application submitted in 1948 for recognition of the educational damage - three and a half years of delay in graduation and thus in medical practice due to Nazi racial policy - was rejected at first instance; only after an appeal was this also officially recognized in June 1950.
After several trips to the United States of America in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, he finally emigrated to the U.S. in 1956, where he lived and worked in Staten Islands, NY.
His older sister, Gertrud Rendelstein, MD (1913-2002) also emigrated to the USA.

He changed the last name to "Rendell" and was married to Joan A. McElroy (1931-2012) since 1957 and they had two children: Francesca G. Rendell (1965) and Marietherese T. Rendell (1970).

Dr. Alfred D. Rendell, née Rendelstein, died on December 12^th, 1998 in NY and is buried at Saint Peter's Cemetery in West New Brighton, Richmond County, New York/USA.

Lit.: Archive of the University of Vienna/enrollment forms ("Nationale") MED 1937–1940, graduation registry ("Promotionsprotokoll") MED (1941–1949) No. 1256, Rectorate GZ 944 ex 1939/40/41, MED GZ 1115 ex 1939/40, MED S 51; Municipal and Provincial Archives of Vienna WStLA/ÄKW/K2/1 - Kartei: Ärztinnen und Ärzte, WStLA 1.3.2.119.A41 237 Bezirk 15, WStLA 1.3.2.119.A41 382 N Bezirk 1; Austrian State Archives OeStA/AdR/E-uReang/VVSt/VA 28375, OeStA/AdR/E-uReang/FLD 14975, OeStA/AdR/E-uReang/Hilfsfonds/Abgeltungsfonds 794; POSCH/INGRISCH/DRESSEL 2008, 456; REITER-ZATLOUKAL/SAUER 2023; www.genteam.at, www.myheritage.at, www.ancestry.de; information courtesy of Dr. Barbara Sauer, Vienna 07/2023.

Herbert Posch