From Wannsee to Storrs: A Perpetual Optimist's Journey

When only nine Curt Beck was lucky to avoid Hitler's clutches when he left Berlin. He crossed the Atlantic five years later in 1938 gaining an opportunity to observe Hitler's New Order from a safe distance in the United States. The Cold War only enhanced his interest in international affairs to which he devoted his academic career. He and Audrey, his first wife, became involved in Connecticut politics which did not prevent him from traveling and observing trouble spots in Europe, Africa and the Near East. Unfortunately he also had to deal with family tragedies: Audrey's suicide and their daughter's 30 year battle schizophrenia. In spite of these challengers Curt never lost his optimism.