Shephard Zitler

Shep and my parents, Fania and Max Beker, were born in Vilna, Lithuania. Both my dad and Shep were Jewish POWs, captured by the Nazis while fighting in the Polish army, and met in Stalag VIIIA, Silesia. They remained friends after they were liberated, and met regularly at survivor gatherings organized by Shep. He tirelessly and faithfully kept in touch with his survivor friends across the country snd organized get-togethers with them on a regular basis. Shep was full of a great zest for...

So full of life and love, so enjoyed people, gatherings, food, your beautiful home and the amazing life you made with Anne. You knew my father, a fellow Vilnaite, and you shared the same POW status with him in Stalag VIIIA. Your generosity and kindness to me was boundless. I miss you and think of you always. BDE and much love.

Dearest Shep -- for me you will always be alive and full of great humor and stories! You live in my heart always, next to my parents and all the Vilners in your network. Your love of life, of your family and your amazing memories are an inspiration for all of us! BDE -- may your neshama have an aliyah, and may you be a good guide and protector to all of us in this world! Love you always!

To the family and friends of Shep Zitler,

This is a great loss to all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him and his love for all people.

From a Good Friend,
Richard Schmidt, Jr.

Dear Anne, I always enjoyed taking care of you and Shep while I was working with Dr. Yager. I am sorry that I never got a chance to say a proper goodbye to you two when I left Louisiana. I have a great job now taking care of U.S. soldiers and their families here in Korea. It's also a great chance to re-explore this part of the world. I was here on active duty back in the late 80's. Best wishes for the future. Joe Stremikis ([email protected])

Dearest Anne, Justin and family,

It is with a heavy heart that I offer my deepest condolences upon the passing of my uncle Shep. My uncle Shep was a man like no other! I so admired him for his capacity to love, to learn, to teach, to laugh and to cry. His willingness to forgive and his burning desire to not let us forget will be forever etched in my memory. It is so difficult to believe that my "favorite uncle" is now gone. Shepti always joked that I was his "favorite niece"....

Dear Anne and family,

I have worked in your home for five years and have grown close to both of you. Mr. Shep was always available to me for a laugh or a cry! He will always be in my heart.
Like I shared with Mr. Shep "I will always be here for "Miss Anne"
Love,
Diane

Dear Anne,dear Justin. It is with great shock that I just found out about Shep's sudden passing. Only last sunday I talked to him in our beloved yiddish language and I was looking forward to getting together tomorrow. He was like a father to me and I will forever miss him. Shep was a true mentsch! With love ,ROBERT KRESS P.O. BOX 1933 ALEXANDRIA,LA.71303

Anne,

I would like to offer you our deepeest condolences upon the death of Shep. I met Shep through the New American Social Club when I was only 13 years old. What a long time ago that was indeed. He was a great friend of my father, Siggy Boraks.

I did not hear Shep's story, however, until just within the last 20 years. What a hero he was to have hid in the forests during the Holocaust to fight the Nazis! Only the highest echelon of the Jewish people did fight for their...