DOB/DOD: January 15, 1910 (Plock, Poland) – January 18, 1999 (Norwalk, CT); 89 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Honnour Hackett (1912-2010) on January 31, 1931 in Torrington, CT
CHILDREN: Two sons, Theodore (1932-2021) and Gerhart J. “Kooki” (1946-2024). One daughter, Dorothy Ristau Cable Schwartz (1931-2008).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 36 ½ Adams Avenue and 44 Tierney Street, East Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: January 3, 1944
SERVICE NUMBER: 31409235
UNIT: 5th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Adolf (1884-1956) and Matilda Staple Ristau (1887-1977). One sister, Emma Ristau Skarupa (1923-2012).
OTHER: Immigrated from Poland at 1 ½ years old. Became a naturalized citizen on January 11, 1944.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Held in German POW camp Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.
From The Norwalk Hour December 29, 1944
Mrs. Honnour G. Ristau of 36 ½ Adams Avenue received a telegram yesterday from the War Department that her husband, Private First Class Gerhart Ristau, has been missing in action in Germany since December 4. He entered the Army on January 22, 1944, receiving his basic infantry training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia. After 17 weeks of training, he was shipped overseas. Locally, he was known as “Dutch” and was well-known in the community, having collected fat and bones for the New Haven Rendering Company until the time he went into the Army. He was a member of the Red Men. There are two children, Teddy, 12, and Dorothy, 13. Teddy is a Norwalk Hour newsboy. Private First Class Ristau will be 36 years old in January.
From The Norwalk Hour March 20, 1945
A card from her husband, Private First Class Gerhart Ristau, reported by the War Department as missing in action in Germany since December 4, 1944, yesterday brought the news to Mrs. Honnour G. Ristau of 36 ½ Adams Avenue, that he was captured and is a prisoner of war in Germany. His message, sent December 12, says: “I have been taken prisoner of war in Germany. I am in good health. Slightly wounded. We will be transported from here to another camp within the next few days. Please don’t write until I get a new address.” Private First Class Ristau, known as “Dutch,” was with the New Haven Rendering Company of this city before he went into the service with the infantry on January 24, 1944. He has been overseas since July 1944. Rejoicing with Mrs. Ristau in the news that Private First Class Ristau is alive are their two children: Dorothy, 13, and Teddy, 12, an Hour newsboy; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Ristau of Torrington, and a large circle of friends.
From The Norwalk Hour June 29, 1945
Private First Class Gerhart Ristau of 36 ½ Adams Avenue, who was a German prisoner for several months, arrived home on Saturday, June 23, for a 60-day furlough. He will report to a rest camp in the south after the completion of the 60 days.
From The Norwalk Hour January 20, 1999
Gerhart Ristau
Retired Perkin-Elmer employee, WWII POW
Gerhart Ristau, 90, of Norwalk, died Monday in Norwalk Hospital. He was the husband of Honnour Hackett Ristau. He was born in Germany on January 15, 1909, the son of the late Adolf and Matilda Ristau. He was a local resident most of his life. He was a retired employee of Perkin-Elmer Corp. in Norwalk. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 5th Infantry Division. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and had been a prisoner of war in Germany. He was a retired member of the Connecticut National Guard, a member of Post No. 603 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post No. 12, the Purple Heart Association, the National Organization of POWs, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Redmen. In addition to his wife, Mr. Ristau is survived by two sons, Gerhart “Kookie” Ristau of New Milford and Theodore “Ted” Ristau of Norwalk; a daughter, Dorothy R. Cable, of Norwalk; a sister, Emma Skarupa of Torrington; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk, with the Rev. Bert Pinciaro of St. Philip’s Church officiating. Interment with military honors will take place in St. John Cemetery in Norwalk. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm. today at the funeral home. The family requests that contributions be made to VFW National Home, 3513 Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, 48827.
Buried in Saint John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section 9. Photos by webmaster.
END
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 