The German-American Hall of Fame (GAMHOF) Board of Trustees has announced details for this year’s induction ceremony and named their 2017 inductees.
This year’s induction event will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm in the Trump Tower’s Atrium, at 725 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
Those being inducted in 2017 include:
Henry Steinway, born “Heinrich Steinweg” in Brunswick, Germany in 1797, became a carpenter and craftsmen of fine musical instruments as a young man. Not long after revolutionary turmoil in Germany, young Steinway emigrated to New York in 1853. Along with his five sons, he began crafting masterpiece pianos in the United States, winning international competitions for excellence. His motto, “to build the finest pianos in the world,” still animates Steinway & Sons, as they continue to create piano masterpieces each day.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer was born in Wiesenfeld, Germany in 1928. Her Orthodox Jewish parents arranged for her to escape to Switzerland in 1939 as part of a “Kindertransport” to get threatened children to safe havens during the Third Reich.
“Dr. Ruth” is the best-known sex therapist in the world, and has gained international recognition through her appearances on TV and radio as a host and guest. She is the author of popular books and has been named the nation’s “most popular lecturer.” Dr. Ruth has also taught at NYU and Yale University.
Lou Gehrig was born in Manhattan in 1903 to German immigrants Heinrich and Christina Gehrig. Henry Louis (“Heinrich Ludwig”) Gehrig entered Columbia College, but despite impressive academic work, his strength and baseball skills could not be overlooked. In a championship high school game, Gehrig hit a ball out of Wrigley Field in Chicago, an incredible feat for a 17 year old. to get threatened children to safe havens during the Third Reich.
Gehrig set records for most runs batted in during a single season that still stand today. His streak of playing 2,130 consecutive games (some with broken bones) and hitting 23 career grand slam homeruns, have only been eclipsed recently.
When diagnosed with fatal ALS in 1939, Lou Gehrig delivered his remarkable “I am the luckiest man…” speech on July 4, 1939. It remains perhaps the most moving farewell speech of all time.
In 2000, millions of fans voted for the baseball “Team of the Century,” to be presented at that year’s All-Star game. Nearly 60 years after his death, Lou Gehrig was the top voter getter among all 20th century players.
Doris Day, born in 1922 near Cincinnati, Ohio as Doris von Kappelhoff, is one of the most iconic and beloved actresses and singers in the world. All four of her grandparents were German immigrants.
Starring in 39 films along with such leading men as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, Ronald Reagan, James Garner and others, Ms. Day was nominated for the “Oscar” award.
She also recorded over 650 songs, including “Sentimental Journey” and “Que Sera Sera,” which won an Oscar.
A longtime advocate for improved treatment of animals, Ms. Day works tirelessly through her Doris Day Animal Foundation, which she founded.
Eric Braeden was born Hans Gudegast in Kiel, Germany in 1941. Making his way to the United States in 1959, he landed in New York, but after working in Texas, the young immigrant earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Montana.
Taking Eric Braeden as a stage name, he was tapped as a guest star in over 100 films, and began working as a young television actor on such series as Combat! and The Rat Patrol, among others.
Aside from a notable role in movie blockbuster Titanic, Mr. Braeden has starred as “Victor Newman” in The Young and the Restless network series since 1980, remarkable longevity for an actor in a television series. Braeden has won two “Emmy” awards and other recognition for his craft.