Walter Zundel
| Born: |
09-12-1913 |
| Faculty: |
Medical School | Medical University Vienna |
| Category: |
Expelled student |
Walter ZUNDEL, born on September 12
th, 1913 in Vienna/Austria (entitled residency ('heimatberechtigt') for Vienna/Austria, Citizenship: Austria), son of Karl Zundel (police official), lived in Vienna 18
th district, Erndtgasse 31/ I. He graduated from high school ("Matura"/"Reifepruefung") at "Bundesrealgymnasium Wien 18" in summer 1933 and started to study medicine at the University of Vienna in fall 1933.
During his studies, he met his future wife
Genia Steinschneider in 1936, studied medicine, too. Walter Zundel was enrolled finally in the spring term 1938 at the Medical School in the 5
th year of his studies ('Absolutorium' was certified on February 8th, 1939). On February 10
th, 1939 he was graduated 'Dr.med.'.
His fiancé
Genia Steinschneider was able to leave Vienna in March 1939 and emigrated to London/Great Britain with a 'domestic permit'. She managed to get an invitation for Walter Zundel, so he was enabled to emigrate to London in July 1939, too. In October 1939, the couple married and initially lived in London.
When Walter Zundel fell seriously ill in late 1940, they left London. He had to stay in the hospital for several months , during which Jenny Zundel worked in Welwyn Garden City as a nanny, and later as a librarian and assistant in a medical lab for a short time. When her husband was able to leave the hospital in 1941, she found an apartment and a job at a bank in Hartford, where they lived for 5 years. Since there was a huge need of physicians due to the war, Walter Zundel was given the opportunity to complete his studies (again) and work as a doctor in England.
After the war, the couple moved first to Grimsby, then to Ilkley where their son Stephen (1947-1975) was born, later to Coventry, where in 1953 their daughter Veronica was born.
His wife
Jenny Zundel never had the chance to complete her medical studies.
Lit.: Vienna University Archive/enrollment forms ("Nationale") MED 1937-1938, graduation registry ("Promotionsprotokoll") MED 13 No. 4360; BRANDSTETTER 2007, 142; POSCH/INGRISCH/DRESSEL 2008, 504-505; interview with his wife Jenny Zundel, London, May 14th, 1997, USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education, University of Southern California, Interview 31516; information from his daughter Veronica Zundel, 03/2019 and 09/2020.
Katharina Kniefacz (revised: Herbert Posch, 2020)
