Hans Massaquoi

Hans Massaquoi

Hans Massaquoi Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 21, 2013.
MIAMI (AP) - Hans Massaquoi, a former managing editor of Ebony magazine who wrote a memoir about his unusual childhood growing up black in Nazi Germany, has died. He was 87.

His son said Massaquoi died Saturday, on his birthday, in Florida. He had been hospitalized over the Christmas holidays.

"He had quite a journey in life," said Hans J. Massaquoi, Jr. "Many have read his books and know what he endured. But most don't know that he was a good, kind, loving, fun-loving, fair, honest, generous, hard-working and open-minded man. He respected others and commanded respect himself. He was dignified and trustworthy. We will miss him forever and try to live by his example."

In an interview in 2000, the elder Massaquoi told The Associated Press that he credited the late Alex Haley, author of "Roots," with convincing him to share his experience of being "both an insider in Nazi Germany and, paradoxically, an endangered outsider."

His autobiogr aphy, "Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany," was published in the U.S. in 1999, and a German translation was published.

Massaquoi's mother was a German nurse and his father was the son of a Liberian diplomat. He grew up in working-class neighborhoods of the port city of Hamburg.

Massaquoi recounted a story from 1933, when he was in school in Hamburg. Wanting to show what a good German he was, Massaquoi said he cajoled his baby sitter into sewing a swastika onto his sweater. When his mother spotted it that evening, she snipped it off, but a teacher had already taken a snapshot. Massaquoi, the only dark-skinned child in the photo, is also the only one wearing a swastika.

He writes that one of his saddest moments as a child was when a teacher told him he couldn't join the Hitler Youth.

"Of course I wanted to join. I was a kid and most of my friends were joining," he said. "They had cool uniforms and they did exciting things - camping, pa rades, playing drums."

Germany was at war by the time he was a teenager, and he describes in the book the near-destruction of Hamburg during the Operation Gomorrah bombing attack in the summer of 1943.

He wrote about becoming a "swingboy" who took great risks by playing and dancing to versions of American swing music, which was condemned by the Nazi regime. After the collapse of Germany at the end of the war, he said he was able to save his mother and himself from starvation by playing saxophone in clubs that catered to the American Merchant Marine.

Eventually he left Germany, first joining his father's family in Liberia, before going to Chicago to study aviation mechanics. He was drafted into the U.S. Army while on a student visa in 1951. Afterward, he became a U.S. citizen and eventually became a journalist.

He worked first for Jet Magazine before moving to Chicago-based Ebony, where he rose to managing editor before retiring in the late 1990s.

FREIDA FRISARO, Associated Press


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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96 Entries

February 7, 2017

R.I.P.

Valenda Newell

November 9, 2016

WHAT A DIFFICULT LIFE....WHAT A INSPIRATIONAL LIFE....THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR REMARKABLE LIFE WITH THE WORLD THROUGH BOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES AND VIDEO INTERVIEWS... HOLDING YOU IN THOUGHT AND PRAYER....MANY BLESSINGS TO THE MASSAQUOI FAMILY

Claudia

May 14, 2013

Your book helped me a lot.I'm sorry for the family.Rest in peace.

Zari Harat

April 7, 2013

Dear Hans, thank you for living a life of dedication to diversity and joy. I know that your life has eternity and vision. Thank you

William Fassett

March 23, 2013

My condolences go out to the family an friends. What a person I read his book.

T. Graubner

March 17, 2013

My adoration to an inspiring human being and condolences to the family.

Jeff Hollweg

February 27, 2013

Thank you!Baako Ye worldwide!

Yeliz Soysal

February 26, 2013

I'm very sad, that you gone..
Ruhe in Frieden,
Herr Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi...

Jean-Marc Oisel

February 22, 2013

I translated his book into french and Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi became familiar to me. Although I never had any contact to him, as I heard about his death, it was as if a relative of mine died. May his soul rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences to his family.

Samuel Brown

February 19, 2013

Your Books had really inspired me and many others.
May your soul rest in perfect peace. My deep condolence to your whole family.

Jessica Wright

February 3, 2013

Many of us live life leaving only footprints in the sand that wash away; but your Dad... he left footprints on stone that will affect generations to come. I was just reading his book, which I could hardly put down - only 57 pages to go - and decided to see if he was still living only to find he just passed 15 days ago in Jacksonville only 30 miles from me. What an inspiration he was, is and will be to many.

Gabriele Wittig Davis, Prof. & Chair, Dept. of German Studies, Mount Holyoke C.

February 2, 2013

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Massaquoi's family. My colleagues at Mount Holyoke and the greater Five-College community join me in conveying to the family our deepest sympathy. When Hans Massaquoi visited with us in 2007, he conquered all our hearts and minds almost instantly by his honesty, integrity, and human warmth. Students and faculty alike were spell-bound by his ability to talk about his experiences in Hitler Germany, by the love and the humor he displayed toward his mother and home city while maintaining a completely uncompromising stance toward an evil and inhumane regime then, and racism and crimes against humanity since then. It is difficult to articulate how wonderful it felt to engage with him after his reading in honest and sincere problem-solving dialogue; for he shared the same value system: that we would only progress and overcome latent racism as a society if we talked to each other openly rather than politely avoided to address what we consider “sensitive” issues. I wondered whether his mode of communication and mine were, after all, culturally conditioned in the same country during our childhoods (although decades apart) and therefore made me feel “at home” and comfortable—with quite uncomfortable truths he might pronounce… Perhaps it was really mostly his human kindness that proved so pervasive that everyone felt at ease discussing even highly explosive and contentious topics. Again, thank you for sharing him.

Dear Massaquoi Family,
The Department of German Studies will, during Black History Month, as befits such a wonderful role model for the Black community in both the U.S. and Germany, hold a commemorative meeting in honor of your father for students and other members of the Mount Holyoke and Five-College community this February. We will read from his book, Destined to Witness, in English, and Neger, Neger, Schornsteinfeger, in German and show clips from the German version of the filming of his book. If you would like, we can take pictures and send them to you, either post them here or convey them to you in some other manner you may name. You may truly be proud to be related to such a man. I will not forget him and am only sorry that health reasons prevented me from coming to see him and interviewing him for my studies of Germans of African heritage as we had discussed. He said he did not usually like this kind of thing but would make an exception—just as he did by signing a copy of his book for me, which I will cherish forever. Thank you for sharing him with us. He brought more light into the world, may he rest in peace. Now it is up to us, especially to those of us in education, to carry the light further.

ARIAM MICHAEL

January 30, 2013

May god rest your soul in peace my heart felt condolences to Mr. Hans jr and his family.

January 30, 2013

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Mehret Michael

January 26, 2013

My deepest condolences to Mr. Hans Massaquio's family.  He was a great
man and have overcome a lot of challenges in his life. After I read
his book "Destinted to Wittness" and heard more about his life from my
son-in-law Hans Jr.  What a wonderful legasy he left.  My prayers for
the family is, in Isaiah 66:13 "As a mother comforts her child, so will
I (God) comfort you; and you will be comferted."

Mehret Michael

C Phillips

January 26, 2013

What an amazing talent and persevering spirit. Your life-story will always inspire. Vielen Dank, Hänschen klein!

Marie M

January 25, 2013

May the God of comfort gives you the strength and the peace you need as you go through this time of mourning.

Marie

January 25, 2013

Thank you for sharing your memories with us. There have always been Black Germans and Black people in Germany and they had to be strong - that's one of the messages we could learn from your story. Thank you so much!

FELTON HOLMES

January 25, 2013

I NEVRE HEARD OF THIS MAN BEFORE BUT,I AM GOING LOOK FOR HIS MOVIES AN HIS BOOK GREAT OBITUARY/GOD BLESS R.I.P.I AM PROUD TO CAII YOU BROTHER

January 25, 2013

He worked with Charles Sanders...And Its a shame O never knew of him before now. What A hero he was.

Theodor Michael

January 25, 2013

Theodor und Gertraud Michae
der Verlust ist nicht zu ersetzen.Wir haben mit Hans-Jürgen einen engen und lieben Freund verloren und sind in tiefer Trauer

Carl Meyers

January 25, 2013

It is with a heavy heart that I recall
Hans friendship during my many years representing John H.Johnnson's Annual
American Black Achievement Awards/Ebony
Annual national TV Special. My sincere
condolences to his family.

palesa mopalami

January 25, 2013

Rest in peace my big brother.
my family and me have seen your movie many times. i read all your books.
i´m born in the eastern part of germany in the 60s as a child of an african father and a german mother.
it was a diffrent time, but i felt a lot of similarities in my life.
my whole heart and sympathy is with the family. may god and the ancestors be always with you.
palesa mopalami

Andew Cheek

January 25, 2013

What a challenging and interesting childhood. Thank You, Mr. Hans Massaquoi!

IZETTA KARP

January 24, 2013

Hans was a dear friend. He visited my family in HAMBURG ON HIS 1ST RETURN HOME MY FAMILYPHOTO IS IN THE EBONY JAN1960 ISSUE.lOVE TO STEVIE& HANSIE.IZETTA KARP LONG BEACH,CA.

Jeanette Boutte Simpson

January 24, 2013

My condolences to the family. Mr. Massaquoi was truly an inspiration - he truly lived his life well.

Kenneth Martin

January 24, 2013

My sympathy to the Massaquoi family. Am reading Destined to Witness now. What a life.

Arthur Ford

January 24, 2013

Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.

Marie M

January 23, 2013

My sincere condolences to all. Please know that God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily to ne found in times of distress.

S. Marina Jones

January 23, 2013

Rest in Peace. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

J Allyn Brown

January 23, 2013

Massaquoi family

I am sorry to hear of the loss of Hans. What a great man, who went through so much. May the God of all comfort, do so during this trying time. Your friends are here for you when you need assistance.

Abigail D.

January 23, 2013

Truly a unique and special man. It's sad that he grew up in such difficult conditions, but his life and cobtributions are inspirational. Deepest condolences to his family, and may we all look forward to a time when prejudice wont exist and everyone strives to do good and treat his fellowman with the respect and dignity that God intended for all humans. Acts 10:34

Pj Arnett

January 23, 2013

I extend my heartfelt sympathy to family of Mr Massaquoi during this difficult time. May the Peace of God that transcends all understanding be of comfort to you all. Phil 4:6-7

Adetoun Küppers-Adebisi

January 23, 2013

beautiful to remember you for good..thanx

warner saunders

January 23, 2013

A true quiet hero.And a wonderful friend.
My condolences to his family.

Marion Dr. Kraft

January 23, 2013

His contributions to the African-German history and legacies will never be forgotten. My condolences to his family. R.I.P. Hans Massaquoi.

January 23, 2013

Please accept my condolences. God is for us all refuge and strength.

Tyrus C. Jones Sr.

January 23, 2013

R.I.P. You Will Be Missed

Rhoda Burson

January 23, 2013

May you rest in peace. I had the privilege of meeting this great man at Indiana University Northwest years ago when he talked about his years growing up. My sympathy to his family.

Henriette Cain

January 23, 2013

My deepest condolences to the Massaquoi family.

January 23, 2013

May you find comfort in the God of refuge at this time. Psalm 46:1

Jjune Haliburton

January 23, 2013

I knew nothing of this gentlemen.What an interesting life he lived. Can hardly wait to find and read his bio.may his family and friends continue to find joy in the life he lived.

January 23, 2013

May it comfort you to know that God, as well as others, care about your feelings at this time and grant you peace.

Sincerely,

Tundanonga-Dikunda Shungu M.

January 23, 2013

Ce n'est qu'un AU REVOIR. Vous avez un trou dans la communauté noire d'Allemagne, mais votre Souvenir et votre Mémoire serviront de guide aux générations actuelles et aux générations futures. Comme vous le remarquez, cher Tonton, les ancêtres vous ont reservé un accueil digne d'un IMMORTEL: Votre départ est votre entrée dans la galérie des IMMORTELS NOIRS. Franck Talk II

Nicolas Kaplan

January 23, 2013

My sincere condolences. Hans Massaquoi has always been a true inspiration and will remain in our hearts.

January 22, 2013

Hans. And Steve my thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless Donny Todd

January 22, 2013

Fernando de Pena. Brownsville, Texas. My admiration and condolences.

January 22, 2013

(Hosea 13:14) “From the hand of She'ol I shall redeem them; from death I shall recover them. Where are your stings, O Death? Where is your destructiveness, O She'ol? Compassion itself will be concealed from my eyes.

Jan (Bek) Morgan

January 22, 2013

I worked with Hans at Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony, Jet Magazines) and must say he was a pleasure and inspiration to be around. May God give you all peace, knowing that he is up in heaven, and his words and experiences will live on forever.

M Samuel

January 22, 2013

Obviously a very interesting person with a remarkable story! My sympathies.

Marie M

January 22, 2013

My sincere condolences to the family. God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found in times of distress.

January 22, 2013

My prayers are with you and your family. Quince

Yvette Wyrick

January 22, 2013

What a wonderful tall "COOl" glass of life pour out upon the many lives he has taste him...Iam really sorry that he has gone asleep, yet so great full to have had him here with us all...He must rest now for a little while says Jehovah. He is the source of life and by means of his son Jesus, a resurrection will provide life without end, yes a life with death,sorrow and pain in Jehovah's new world. What a time to look forward to and await our love present again!!!

Rahel Michael

January 22, 2013

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Our preyers are with the family.

Mickey Michael

January 22, 2013

My condolence to the Massaquoi family. It is unfortunate I did not get a chance to meet such a wonderful man who endeavor so much challenge in life to make it better for us. However, I am fortunate enough to hear and read about those challenges, as well as, all those wonderful description mentioned by my brother-in-law, Hans Jr. My thoughts and prayers are with the Massaquoi family. May you find the strength to move forward.

Marva Nelson

January 22, 2013

What an incredible soul! May he rest in peace. My sympathies to the family.

Marcia Bullock

January 22, 2013

My deepest condolences.

January 22, 2013

PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONDOLENCE,MAY YOU REMEMBER THAT "GOD WILL HEAR YOUR PRAYERS,HE WILL HEAR YOU WHEN YOU CALL".{PS.4:3}......CN

Cindy Garcia-Porto

January 22, 2013

My deepest condolences to you and your family. He was an amazing person.I didn't know him personally but, I read about him.

mary zak

January 22, 2013

My introduction to Hans Massaquoi is regrettably a farewell. Five minutes ago I knew nothing about him: I will read his autobiography and add its heartbreaking richness to that of "Half- Blood Blues" by Esi Edugyan

January 22, 2013

My prayers are with the family. May the fond memories keep him forever in your hearts and provide comfort to each of you in the coming days ahead.
R. Bailey
Jacksonville Florida

The Woods Family

January 22, 2013

Dear Massaquoi Family, Please seek comfort in knowing that this great man left a wonderful legacy through his work with Ebony Magazine. God bless each of you during this difficult time.

January 22, 2013

With Deepest Sympathy

January 22, 2013

With deepest sympathy to the Massaquoi family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.

Barbara Marshall

January 22, 2013

To the Massaquoi Family, hold on to the wonderful memories and his warm and loving spirit will always be with you. He lived an incredible life and many of us have learned so much from reading about him. His spirit lives on.

January 22, 2013

Please accept my condolences and may the God of all comfort strengthen and comfort you during this difficult time.

becca

January 22, 2013

I did not know of Mr. Massaquoi. As an avid reader, esp., of unusual autobio's, I will now read his life story. That he crossed over on his birthday, is kind of special, too........just like him. His face exudes an honesty, and dignity, that says, this is a genuine human being. To his family, my deespest sympathy. He was, indeed, one of a kind. God Bless.

Darinka D'Alessio

January 22, 2013

Oh what a great loss to our world! My sincere condolences to all of you. Hans' mother was a family friend of ours and I grew up admiring Hans, his energy and intellect. As an adult, I was honored to meet him and share ideas and memories.

January 22, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

January 22, 2013

During such a difficult time, the Bible's hope of no more pain and sorrow can be very comforting. Hoping that the family and friends of Mr. Massaquoi will cherish this thought.

January 22, 2013

God bless you ~ Rest in peace.

January 22, 2013

Dear Massaquoi Family,
When reading about Mr. Hans I see that you said he endure alot. Consider what the Bible says about those who endure. Matt 24: 13 " But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved"

L. T

January 22, 2013

To the family of arm. Hans Massaquol, my you receive comfort from the God of all comfort. 2 Corithians 1:3,4.

Mycena B Dickerson

January 22, 2013

To the Massaquoi, your father left you a beautiful legacy. May you continue to follow His example for as Ephesians 6:1-3 says "that it may go well with you." Remember.

January 22, 2013

I did not know your father, but can only imagine the grief you must be experiencing from his loss. May the God of tender mercies be with you and your family at this time of need. 2 Cor 1:3.

konah Blackett

January 22, 2013

I have learned with deep sadness of the passing of Hans Massaquoi,former Managing Editor of Ebony Magazine.

In view of this, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray that the Almighty will grant them solace and comfort during the period of bereavement.May his soul rest in perfect peace.

K Foust

January 22, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Hans Massaquoi. In my research for black involvement in the Holocaust I came across Mr. Massaquoi's book. Loved reading his story, so inspiring. It's a book I recommended to this day. Wish I had had the opportunity to meet him. God Bless.

Clara Hart

January 21, 2013

My thoughts are with the family of Mr. Massaqoui at this time of great sorrow!

EG

January 21, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Bobbie

January 21, 2013

To the Massaquoi family, I'd like to express the deep sorrow that you may be going through at this time, with kind words to comfort you... may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness be with you. - 2 Thess 2:16

Ron H

January 21, 2013

I mixed black/german myself growing up in Germany. Germany never changed, I recently went back myself to visit. I read both his books. I wanted to meet him someday, never had a chance. My prayers go Hans Juergen and your family.

Garth Newberry

January 21, 2013

To the family of Hans Massaquoi,

I didn't know these things about Mr. Massaquoi's experiences as a youth. It is intriguing to me and I hope someone will document the story of his life in a movie.

R. Garris

January 21, 2013

May the God of comfort & peace be with your family during this difficult time.

January 21, 2013

To the Massaquoi Family,
our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your Dad had a wonderful life!
Allison Perkins-Thomas and Dr. Anthony Thomas

Nate Franklin

January 21, 2013

A copy of Mr. Massaquoi's book "Destined To Witness" was given to me as a gift several years ago. I read it with great interest and found it compelling. I always thought what a story it would be if his book could be turned into a movie. This may come to past someday.

May the family find peace in a life well lived by Mr. Hans J. Massaquoi.

Shelly R

January 21, 2013

Don't know why I browsed the Obits under the Sun-Times, but Hans picture, made me stop and say, "Hey, I remember him with Ebony". May God Bless his family, relatives and friends in the name of Jesus Christ!

michelle plakas-kaiser

January 21, 2013

rip

sherri T.

January 21, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Loranda Williams

January 21, 2013

May you R.I.P you were an inspiration and you are truly going to be missed!

B Lucas

January 21, 2013

My sincere condolence for the loss of Hans your dear loved one. May your fond memories of him bring much comfort. Peace and love to your family and friends, and to the spirit you show. [email protected]

January 21, 2013

May the God of all comfort be with you at this time of grief, may all Hans' memories stay close to your heart. Psalms 46:1 Joanna

January 21, 2013

Take comfort in knowing God's newest angel is watching over you.

We offer our prayers and condolences for Hans, his family and many friends.

Michael & Karen Gibbs

January 21, 2013

I am so sorry for the loss or your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.

January 21, 2013

My condolences to your family during this time of grief.

Rosemarie Peña

January 21, 2013

May you find comfort in his outstanding legacy. Our most heartfelt condolences extended on behalf of the Black German Heritage & Research Association.

Friends

January 21, 2013

My sincere condolences to family and friends. May God who see your tears and pain of heart comfort and strengthen you during this sorrowful time. So heart breaking what Hans had to endure. God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34, 35

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February 7, 2017

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