Fritz L. Kramer Papers

Collection

Identifier: TMD140

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains manuscript materials generated by Kramer entitled: "Report from the Rockies" (ca.1943); clippings and correspondence (1990, 1996-2003); photographs (1944, n.d.); address book (n.d.); rosters (1990-1991, 2002); brochures and memorabilia (1986-2008); manuscript: "When Aspen was Conceived" by Fritz Schmidt (1996); report: "Environmental Handbook for the Camp Hale and Pikes Peak Areas, Colorado" (1958); copy: "History of the 10th Mountain Division 1944-1945" (n.d.); list of television specials (2001).

Dates

1942-2003

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

Fritz Kramer was born in Vienna, Austria, on March 18, 1918. He graduated from the Commercial Academy in 1937 and immigrated to the United States in 1939, following Hitler’s invasion of Austria. He lived in New England and worked a variety of jobs including being the first paid ski patrolman at Stowe, Vermont.

He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and joined the 87th Infantry Regiment at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In July 1943 he went with the 10th RECON to Seneca Rocks near Elkins, West Virginia, where he taught rock climbing. He was later stationed at Camp Hale and Camp Carson in Colorado, and Camp Swift, Texas. He went with the 10th Mountain Division to Italy in January 1945.

After the war, Kramer remained in Vienna where he worked as a civilian with the Occupation Forces. He later returned to the United States and moved to Seattle, Washington. He taught skiing at Sun Valley, worked with the ski patrol at Snoqualmie Pass, was the president of the Pacific Northwest division of the National Ski Patrol. He married, Mary Deming, in June 1949.

Kramer attended the University of Washington and the University of California, earning a PhD in Geography. He taught Geography at a number of colleges and universities, giving his wife and three children their own private geography lessons with every move. He retired in 1982, in Portland, Oregon, after a teaching career in the United States, Germany and Yugoslavia. He lost his wife Mary in December 2007. Kramer passed away on January 14, 2013, at the age of 94. He had 2 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Extent

.5 box

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift; Fritz L. and Gretl Kramer;2001. Gift; Anne Kramer; 2008.

General

Catalog record based on preliminary inventory.

General

Forms part of the 10th Mountain Division artwork collection.

Linking Entry Complexity Note

Forms part of: 10th Mountain Division Resource Center Collection.

Subjects

Address books. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Brochures Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Camp Carson (Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Camp Hale (Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Camp Swift (Tex.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Clippings (information artifacts) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Kramer, Fritz L., 1918- -- Archives.
Manuscripts (documents) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Military maneuvers -- Cold weather conditions. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Inc.
Pencil drawing, American -- Ski troops. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Rosters. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Ski troops. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Soldiers -- United States -- Correspondence. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 87th.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings