Franz Leidler
| Born: |
09-20-1914 |
| Faculty: |
Medical School | Medical University Vienna |
| Category: |
Expelled student |
Franz LEIDLER, born on September 20th, 1914 in Vienna, died on July 18th, 2001 in Santa Fe/USA (entitled residency ('heimatberechtigt') for Vienna/Austria, Citizenship: Austria), son of
Dr. Rudolf Leidler (physician, lecturer) and
Dr. Julia Leidler, lived in Vienna 6th district, Linke Wienzeile 4.
Franz Leidler was enrolled finally in spring term 1937 in the 5th year of his studies ('Absolutorium' was certified on November 3rd, 1938) and was preparing for the final exams ('Rigorosen') in 1938. He could finally finish his studies and graduated on July 21st, 1938, but only with the discriminating ceremony of a 'Nichtarierpromotion', which included at the same time that he was banned from his profession.
His mother, who studied at the Medical School, too, finished her studies and graduated on October 31st, 1938, with the discriminating ceremony of a 'Nichtarierpromotion'. When his father was dismissed from his teaching post because he was a Jew, he committed suicide.
Franz Leidler was able to emigrate to the USA, but his academic degree was not accepted as " M.D." in the USA, so he has to study again, gained a Master degree in bacteriology of Kansas State University in 1941 and with a fellowship at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri the doctorate in bacteriology. During his studies there he taught a summer course in pathology at the University dental School. He was then asked to take an internship in Pathology at the Medical School Hospital (Barnes Hospital) obtaining a speciality status at Pathology, which took seven years of speciality training.
In 1941 Franz Leidler married a fellow student, who also studied bacteriology at Kansas State University. He received the US citizenship and was inducted into the US army medical corps as a first lieutenant, serving at an army medical hospital in North Carolina. Franz became ill with tuberculosis, was sent to the army hospital (Fitzsimmons) in Denver, Colorado for treatment and was retired from the army after nine months.
He went back to St. Louis, Washington University Medical School for further training and then entered the private practice of Pathology. He was chief pathologist for the Veterans Hospital in St. Louis for a few years, and then at Memorial Hospital, Houston, for 35 years. Besides, he also volunteered teaching at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
When Franz was ready to retire, he was asked to help set up the Pathology Dept. at a new medical school being installed in Texas. Franz Leidler retired as emeritus Prof. of Pathology, Texas A. University Medical School.
Lit.: information from his widow Helen V. Leidler, Santa Fe/USA, 2002; Austrian Heritage Collection at Leo Baeck Institute New York.
Katharina Kniefacz and Herbert Posch
