Dr. Otto Gersuny biography: 13 things about Holocaust survivor born in Teplitz-Schoenau, Czechoslovakia

Who was Dr. Otto Gersuny?

Dr. Otto Gersuny was an Czech-American doctor who lived in New York, United States. Exactly 50 years ago, he was born to Gottlieb Gersuny and Sophie Gans Gersuny in Teplitz-Schoenau, Czechoslovakia.

In 1918, Czechoslovakia declared its independence from Austria-Hungary, which later became two independent countries namely Austria and Hungary. On December 31, 1992, Czechoslovakia formally separated into two independent countries namely the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

Had Otto not been Czech, he and his family may have been killed like most of his relatives during the Holocaust between 1941 and 1945 amid World War II. His older brothers Karl Gersuny and Theodor Gersuny and his older sister Anna Simon were also born in Teplitz-Schoenau, now known as Teplice.

In 1883, Theodore died in Teplitz-Schoenau. He was 3.

Otto was an alumnus of the University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria. He was 10 years older than his wife Lisbeth Stiassny Gersuny.

Before moving to Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, Otto and Lisbeth lived in Vienna, Austria with their two sons. While he studied English, his family stuck it out on a small loan in their house in Jackson Heights.

In Vienna, Otto was one of the best-known specialists for children’s diseases. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. In 1914, he graduated from the University of Vienna with a medical degree.
2. During the World War I from 1914 to 1918, he served as a military surgeon.
3. On November 20, 1924, his father died at age 78.
4. On May 19, 1928, Lisbeth gave birth to their son Carl Gersuny in Vienna.
5. On June 30, 1931, Lisbeth gave birth to their son Conrad Gersuny in Vienna.
6. On December 21, 1935, his mother died in Vienna at age 81.
7. In 1938, he and Lisbeth emigrated by ship from Austria to New York City with their Carl and Conrad.
8. In 1940, he was authorized to practice medicine in the U.S.
9. He has one paternal half-brother named Wilhelmine Fink, who was also born in Teplitz-Schoenau. Fink died in 1942.
10. In 1948, his son Carl married Helene Wall Gersuny.
11. In 1956, his son Conrad opened The Conrad Shop in Greenwich Village, New York City. 
12. On February 1, 1964, he turned 74.
13. On July 14, 1964, he died in New York.