Rudolf Kernau

Rudolf KERNAU, born on September 2^nd, 1919 in Vienna/Austria (entitled residency ("heimatberechtigt") for Vienna/Austria, citizenship 1938: Austria), son of Dr. Rudolf Kernau sen. (1888-1975, dentist) and Theresia Kernau, née Roegler (1890-1968), lived in Vienna's 1^st district, Dr. Karl Lueger-Ring 10, and and had graduated from the Realgymnasium in Vienna's 8^th district (Albertgasse 18-22) in the summer of 1937 and began his medical studies in the fall term of 1937/38. He was enrolled in the spring term 1938 at the Medical School in the 1^st year of his studies.

In 1938, after the takeover of power of National-Socialism, he was perpetrated for racist reason and was regarded as "Mischling 2. Grades". But after numerous incertainties he could finally finish his studies and graduated on July 20th, 1943, but was at the same time banned from his profession.

After the Anschluss in 1938, he was persecuted on racial grounds as a so-called "Mischling 2. Grades", but was still able to continue his studies for the time being - with revocation at any time. On April 5^th, 1940, he was also able to successfully pass the First viva voca ("Rigorosum"). As of the first trimester of 1940, he had to apply to the Reich Ministry of Education in Berlin, like all "Mischlinge", for further admission to studies. The dean of the medical school, Prof. Eduard Pernkopf, had to prepare an expert opinion which "had to deal in particular with the personal impression of the applicant's personality and appearance. It is to be mentioned whether and to what extent characteristics of the Jewish race are outwardly recognizable in the applicant." [Decree of the Ministry of Education, January 5^th, 1940]. Accordingly, on April 27^th, 1940, Prof. Pernkopf stated, "Rudolf Kernau is Mischling II. degree; little Jewish appearance." The Reich Ministry for Science, Education and National Education decided on June 19^th, 1940 (W F 2541) that he was admitted to the medical examinations by the Reich Ministry of the Interior only under the reservation that he would thereby NOT acquire the right to practice ("Bestallung") as a physician.
This would only take place when it had been proven with documents that only one of the four grandparents was of Jewish descent ("Ahnenpass", "Ahnennachweis") and a further examination of the political and moral reliability of himself as well as his entire family in the National Socialist sense turned out positively. With this condition, he was also admitted to the second and third viva voce examinations and was finally able to complete his studies on July 20^th, 1943, with a doctorate in medicine. The passage about the conditional admission to the medical profession, however, is not noted in his doctoral transcript - in contrast to the usual practice. Whether he was allowed to practice medicine during the National Socialist era cannot be determined with certainty. After the end of National Socialism, he was also able to complete his dental specialist training on July 13^th, 1946 and open a practice in Vienna's 9^th district, Waehringer Strasse 2 (he lived in Waehringer Strasse 5).

Dr. Rudolf Kernau died on January 23^rd, 2002 in Vienna and is buried at Vienna-Hernals cemetery.

Lit.: Archive of the University of Vienna/enrollment forms ("Nationale") MED 1937-1939, graduation registry ("Promotionsprotokoll") MED 1943, No. 814, MED S 51.1, MED S 51.2, MED GZ 1115 ex 1939/40, rectorate GZ 944 ex 1939/40/41, GZ 97/II ex 1943/44; information from Dr. Barbara Sauer, Vienna 07/2019; REITER-ZATLOUKAL/SAUER 2023; Verstorbenensuche Friedhöfe Wien..

Herbert Posch