FRANZ L. ALT

Franz introduced himself, and Annice, to me after I led my first AMC hike out of Tuxedo in 1997. He came up to me in his courtly way and bowed a lttle, thanked me for the hike and said that I was leading one of the oldest members of the AMC!! He was wonderful. My love to Annice and his children, and their children. Rosanne

I only met Franz in the last few years, as I saw him determinedly walking through Fort Tryon Park every day with his cane, and I would always say hello. Then I found out he was pushing 100, and I admired him even more! My condolences to Annice, whom I know through the fitness walks in the park. Both of them will serve as inspiration as I aim to stay active!

I first met Franz Alt on an AMC hike sometime in the early 1990s. He came on a hike I led in Wawayanda State Park in New Jersey. Of course he was already in his 80s. My hike was about 7 miles long at a relaxed pace. I asked Franz why I had not previously seen him on hikes and he said. "I used to hike with the Ramblers [ who are famous for long killer hikes] but now I can no longer keep up with them and so I have dropped down to your level." He was a fascinating person

July 24, 2011

Franz Alt was more than a gentleman, more than a scholar, and more than an athlete. He was, simply put, an inspiration to us all, and a true Jewish-American hero.

His early life in the highlands of Eastern Austria was good training for the mountains he would climb (metaphorically and otherwise) as an American patriot in the fight against fascism. Franz Alt saved lives, gave of himself, and lived a full life in the outdoors from Camp Hale, Colorado to...

Franz Alt was an inspiration to all who
enjoyed hiking in the New York area, a
man one often encountered in the hills
and on the trails well into his Nineties.

Sincere condolences to Annice and the
rest of the family.

Nicholas A F Arena, Esq.