Alexander Wilde, 100, passed away peacefully with family by his side, on September 1, in Williston, Vermont.

Alex was born on May 23, 1923, to Jewish parents, Siegmund and Ernestine Wildholz in Vienna, Austria where they resided until events of the Holocaust forced them to flee. In 1938, Alex was fortunate to have escaped to Edinburgh, Scotland through the heroic efforts of the Kindertransport.

His father, who had been imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp, was miraculously released in 1939 when Alex’s Scottish sponsor generously provided support and transport documents. The family then reunited in England, where they lived as refugees before seeking asylum in America.

In 1944, Alex enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until his discharge following the end of World War II. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt College and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.

While working for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., Alex met his wife, Barbara. They settled in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago where they raised their three children. Alex spent much of his career working as a statistician for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Alex and Barbara retired to Brewer, Maine, and later moved to Vermont, making many dear friends along the way. They became deeply involved in their synagogue and Alex volunteered his time speaking in support of Holocaust education programs, sharing his story.

Alex was devoted to his family and will be remembered for his vivid storytelling, sharp wit, loyalty to the Chicago Cubs, and his knack for recalling significant dates—he never missed a birthday or anniversary. He was known for his famous potato salad and for his love of Barbara’s Gugelhupf cake and all things sweet.

Alex is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Barbara, and by their three children and spouses, Michael and Sue May Wilde, Deborah and Scott Lowe, and David and Patricia Wilde. His family includes his adoring grandchildren Michela (Sam), Ben (Emily), Allison (z”l), Elliot, Danielle, and Kevin, and his great-grandchildren Theodore, Noah, Naomi, and Alexandra.

A private service was held at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago where Alex was laid to rest. Donations in Alex’s memory may be made to the International Rescue Committee.