United States Diplomatic Mission to Germany - In Memoriam: Ernst Cramer (January 28, 1913 – January 19, 2010)

United States Diplomatic Mission to Germany - In Memoriam: Ernst Cramer (January 28, 1913 – January 19, 2010)

Ambassador Murphy w/ Ernst Cramer

One year ago today, we learned that Ernst Cramer, one of Germany's and America's finest citizens, had passed away at the age of 96. Despite his age, his death was sudden and very unexpected - perhaps because, despite his age, he was active and worked for the things he cared about so deeply right up until the day he died.

Ernst was extremely proud that when the new American Embassy was opened in 2008, a decision was made to name our main conference facility after him. He had received a visa from the pre-war American Embassy on Pariser Platz and left for the United States in August 1939; he returned to Germany in 1944 as an American soldier and citizen to learn that both his parents and his brother had died in the Holocaust. He could have returned to the United States after the war but instead decided to stay in Germany and revive the cultural and civic values that he knew were such an important part of this country - despite the horrors of Nazi Germany and World War II. That basic aim guided and inspired Ernst throughout both his professional career and his personal life. His trust in the people of Germany, his strong belief in the ideals of liberty, freedom, self-determination, and democracy, and his indomitable spirit will continue to live on in the walls of the American Embassy.

Ernst took part in the official opening ceremony of the Embassy on July 4, 2008. Later we held a smaller dedication ceremony in the foyer of the conference center, alongside the display on his life and career. By chance, a conference was going in the conference room itself. Ernst was not upset that we could not use "his" room, as he called it. Instead he was proud and pleased that "his" room was indeed being used. In his memory, let us make sure that we continue to use our Embassy facilities as much and as effectively as possible in our efforts to engage our friends and contacts in a discussion of our common values and ideals.

On a more personal note, I would like to say that although I only knew Ernst for a few short months, he became a true and trusted friend to both me and my wife. He offered me wise and trusted advice. I know that the same held true for my predecessors, Ambassador Timken and Ambassador Coats. We - and many others - still miss him dearly.