Gerhard von Hessert
Baron Gerhard Rudolf Viktor von Hessert (August 18, 1906 – September 22, 1994) was a German bobsledder who competed in the early 1930s.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gerhard Rudolf Viktor von Hessert |
| Nationality | German |
| Born | August 18, 1906 Freiburg im Breisgau, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire |
| Died | September 22, 1994 (aged 88) |
| Alma mater | Darmstadt University |
| Spouse(s) |
Cornelia Fitch Baekeland
(after 1939) |
| Sport | |
| Country | Germany |
| Sport | Bobsled |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 8:35:45 (1932) |
Early life
Von Hessert was born in Freiburg im Breisgau, the youngest of four siblings, to Friedrich von Hessert and Viktoria von Herff. Most of his childhood was spent in constant movement due to the nature of his father's mining business.[1]
Both sides of the family had political ties in Hesse. His paternal uncle was first district attorney in Darmstadt and his maternal grandfather was a member of the privy council.[2][3] His paternal great-grandfather Dr. Franz Ferdinand von Hessert was royal physician to Ludwig I and a vaccination pioneer. He conducted in the early 1800s the first cowpox inoculation trials in Hesse after Edward Jenner's vaccination advancements in England.[4][5]
He attended Darmstadt University and moved to New York City in 1929 after making the journey aboard the RMS Franconia.
1932 Winter Olympics
Gerhard von Hessert and his team finished seventh and last in the four-man event at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Germany was conferred overall the bronze medal, same as in the 1928 Games. The event was won by the United States.[6]
Personal life
He married Cornelia Fitch Baekeland, granddaughter of Leo Baekeland, the inventor of Bakelite, in 1939.[7][8] His wife had a minor role as an actress in the 1944 Rita Hayworth classic Cover Girl.[9]
Baron von Hessert died in 1994.[10]
References
- Wills, W.H. (2006) The Anglo-African Who's Who and Biographical Sketchbook, 1907. Jeppestown Press. London. P. 373.
- Knodt, M. (1978) Ernst Ludwig Grossherzog von Hessen und Bei Rhein. Verlag H. L. Schlapp Darmstadt. Darmstadt. P. 383
- Barber, L. (1973) Ferdinand Peter Herff: The Doctors Herff. A Three Generation Memoir. Trinity University Press, San Antonio (Texas)
- Creighton, C. (1889) Jenner and Vaccination: A Strange Chapter of Medical History Jenner. Swan Sonnenschein & CoP. London. P. 229
- Sahmland, I. (1997) Die Anfänge der Schutzimpfung in Gießen. Gießener Universitätsblätter. Jahrgang 30. Brühlsche Universitätsdrückerei Gießen. Gießen. P. 51-62
- Lattimer, G.M. (1932) III Olympic Games Winter Games, Lake Placid 1932. III Olympic Winter Games Committee. Lake Placid. P. 246.
- TIMES, Special to THE NEW YORK (23 May 1939). "MISS BAEKELAND TO BECOME BRIDE; Scarsdale Girl Will Be Wed Next Month to Gerhard von Hessert of This City SHE ATTENDED BREARLEY Fiance, With Importing Firm Here, Studied in Germany and at the Sorbonne". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- TIMES, Special to THE NEW YORK (8 June 1939). "MISS BAEKELAND BECOMES A BRIDE; Scarsdale Girl Is Attended by Six in Church Wedding to Gerhard von Hessert ESCORTED BY HER FATHER Miss Nancy H. Meier Is Maid of Honor--Bridegroom Attended Sorbonne". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- "Cornelia B. Von Hessert". IMDb.
- McCrery, Nigel (31 October 2021). The Undying Flame: Olympians Who Perished in the Second World War. Pen and Sword Military. p. 580. ISBN 978-1-5267-4063-2. Retrieved 11 August 2022.