Emanuel Emil Neubrunn, 1888–1973, designer and stone carver.
In his native Vienna, Emil Neubrunn had been an avid skier and progressive ski instructor, 1News from the Donauland section of the Deutschen und Österreichischen Alpenveriens, 1932, p. 26. a first lieutenant in the Deutschmeister Regiment,2Neuigkeit Welt Blatt, October 26, 1930, p.7. a Austro-German military unit known for its history and traditions, during the First World War and a registered architect with a successful business, designing and producing stone memorials. Nevertheless, the National Socialists imprisoned the fifty year old Neubrunn when they annexed Austria in 1938. After three and a half months, he was released with the provision that he sign over his property to the Nazi authorities and leave the country. Friends helped him and his family reach safety in Switzerland. From Switzerland, Neubrunn went to England and in 1940, relocated to the United States, where he established a new memorial business in New York City.3Barre Daily Times, July 15, 1943, p. 12. He became active in trade organizations, writing articles and giving occasional lectures. On his trips to suppliers’ conferences in Barre, Vermont, he enjoyed skiing.4Barre Daily Times, March 11, 1947, p. 1.
As the first anniversary of Hortense Mendel’s death approached, Ismar David ordered a gravestone from Memorials by Neubrunn, to be made according to his specification and full size drawings. David also designed, and Neubrunn executed, a memorial tablet, honoring John Haynes Holmes at the Community Church in New York in 1964/5. In 1965, David helped with a letterhead for Neubrunn’s daughter and Neubrunn apparently reciprocated by making a contribution to the Hillel Foundation of the B’nai B’rith “[i]n honor of my good friend Ismar David.”5Letter from Emanuel Neubrunn, R.A. to Rabbi Dr. Arthur Zuckerman, April 222, 1965. Ismar David papers, box 5, folder 107, Cary Graphic Arts Collection, RIT. In 1972, Neubrunn bought the Psalms as a gift for his son-in-law.”6Letter from Emanuel Neubrunn to the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, October 15, 1972. Ismar David papers, box 5, folder 107, Cary Graphic Arts Collection, RIT.
February 28, 1961
Dear Mr. David:
This is to thank you very kindly for your good wishes for 1961 which I reciprocate most sincerely. Our wishes are delayed as we had left New York for Sydney, Australia on Nov. 25th and returned after “80 Days around the World” only two weeks ago.We visited with our children & grand children and then went on to Singapore, New Delhi, Israel, Paris, Stockholm & London.
We took many colored slides and hope to be able to show them to you & our friends.
With best personal regards,
Yours Annie & Emil Neubrunn.
