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BORN
1924
DIED
2014
Vivien Spitz Obituary
Vivien was a Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters of the National Court Reporters Association, and was the Chief Reporter of Debates in the United States House of Representatives from 1972 to 1982.
Mrs. Spitz reported the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials in Germany from 1946 to 1948, including the Nazi Doctors Case. From this experience she made presentations and published a book 'Doctors from Hell' . She spoke world-wide on this subject.
She was honored by Steven Spielberg's SHOAH Foundation and at Tony Randall's production of Judgment at Nuremberg on Broadway. She received the 1994 Human Relations Award and the America-Israel Friendship League Humanitarian Award. Vivien was a member of the University of Denver Holocaust Awareness Institute's Speakers Bureau and a founding member of the University of Colorado Holocaust Contemporary Bioethics Program. She is honored in the Marquis' Who's Who of American Women.
She was a woman of conviction, ethics and religion and she now will watch over us for all eternity. Friends and family can celebrate her life and offer prayers on April 7 from 11AM to 2PM in a service at the Eagles Trace Retirement Home, 14703 Eagle Vista Dr, Houston, TX 77077, where she resided for the last ten years of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Holocaust Museum, or to a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vivien Spitz
Alessandro Grosso
June 18, 2024
Una Grandissima...
H. Allen Benowitz
March 30, 2019
In her memory, it is my honor to repeat my words on the anniversary and time of Vivien's Passing:
"Vivien, in light of her amazing accomplishments, both in the field of court reporting and academia, coupled with her humility, was a rare combination of quality traits. Her lifes mission in carrying the message of the Holocaust from her experience as a Nazi War Crimes Trial court reporter to the youth of our nation, distinguishing between the benefits and negative undercurrents of the difference between good and evil, in my book qualify her as a martyr.
Having arranged numerous bookings for her speaking engagements before medical, law, and religious groups in South Florida and Washington, D.C., met with great feedback as to her warm, accurate, and realistic delivery regarding her word-picture presentations, enough to have called her back many times by popular demand.
I am proud to have called Vivien my friend."
H. Allen Benowitz
Matt Johnson
May 2, 2014
I had the privilige of meeting Ms. Spitz while I worked at Eagle's Trace. She was kind, intelligent, and possessed a quiet strength that many would envy. I feel blessed for having had the opportunity to know her, and wish her family peace and support.
April 27, 2014
I am thankful that I was present to hear her speak at the HMH and to have her sign my copy of her book. What a brave and fearless person she was.
Karen Klein
April 9, 2014
Saw her speak at several reporter seminars, and many of us brought our childen to hear her as she spoke so eloquently. Her dedication to sharing her experience reporting the Nuremberg Wartime Trials is to be admired by all court reporters and historians. This history is no longer taught in many public schools, and Vivien knew that.
Donna Linton, RMR-CCR-CLR
April 9, 2014
She was so full of history. A great reporter, a great speaker, such a nice person, and she was an icon to me when I was in college going through court reporting school and beyond. She is going to be so missed in the court reporting arena. I am so sorry for the family's loss.
April 9, 2014
What a loss Ms. Spitz's passing is to the court reporting profession and the world in general. I had the privilege of meeting Vivien in Mississippi many years ago, when we were both speakers at that state's convention. I held her in such high regard and eagerly attended as many of her presentations as possible, never tiring of the story and lessons she had to impart. She was always gracious and generous with her time and wisdom, and I feel I learned a great deal from her. We corresponded intermittently, and I treasure her words of advice. I am sad at her passing but feel grateful to have had the opportunity to know her. I started out as a Gregg (pen) writer before learning machine shorthand, so I felt an even stronger bond to Vivien in that regard. There will never be another Vivien Spitz. You've earned your rest, dear Vivien.
Sue (Andersen) Holthaus
April 9, 2014
I had the pleasure of meeting Vivien at the NCRA conventions, an honored member of "The Hooples." The epitome of grace and professionalism.
April 9, 2014
No finer person have I met than Vivien. Her contributions and life's mission and contributions, as a righteous gentile, in bringing the message of the Holocaust to the youth and academia of our nation, highlighting the difference between good and evil, coupled with humility, and professional accomplishments to the court reporting community, is rare, indeed. I am proud to call Vivien my friend. May you rest in peace, Vivien.
H. Allen Benowitz, Miami, FL
Wilma Porter, Court Reporter
April 9, 2014
I have been court reporting for 45 years and had the privilege of meeting Vivien in the 1970s at a national convention and, because I've always had an interest in the "whats" and "whys" of the Holocaust, I was just in awe of someone who was part of an historic event -- the Nuremburg Trials. She was a great lady and will be dearly missed by all court reporters.
Becky Jackson
April 7, 2014
If you didn't know who she was and met her, you would never know the stature of this remarkable woman. Treasured.
Susan Becker
April 7, 2014
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Vivien in the Denver District Court. She was truly an icon in the court reporting field.
Sandra Crook
April 7, 2014
So brave at such a young age. My regret is not going to Denver to meet her. I thank Vivien for her contributions to the field of court reporting. Let her be an example to all who follow in her footsteps.
George Oliver
April 7, 2014
Vivien gave a most inspirational presentation to my senior ethics university students a few years ago. She had a unique gift of relating to people of all ages. Her influence will continue for years to come...
Bill Oliver
April 7, 2014
One fantastic woman!
Paula Laws
April 7, 2014
Vivian was an incredible person. She touched so many lives in so many wonderful ways. She was an inspiration and will be missed. Yes, she will be watching over all of us.
Paula Laws, Past President, NCRA
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag
April 7, 2014
Vivien was an amazing woman who influenced so many throughout her lifetime. I was blessed to have met her while I was a student at Mile Hi in Denver and honored to be her friend and recipient of her wise counsel. I will always remember the grace and dignity -- and spunky fire! -- which she added to the reporting profession. We were truly in the presence of greatness.
Bill Weber
April 7, 2014
There existed no finer lady nor a better ambassador to court reporting. I am proud to have known her.
Patricia Money
April 5, 2014
It was my pleasure to know you, peace be with you.
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