Rudolf (Rudi) Löwenstein grew up in Cologne; his father was Jewish. Two of his siblings were able to emigrate before the war began. Around 1933, the family moved to Upper Bergisches Land, around 40 miles (60 km) east of Cologne. They received a hostile reception there, but a local farmer and devout Christian, Emil Beer, came to their aid. The Nazi propaganda organ “Der Stürmer” denounced him as a “friend to Jews” in 1934 for his support.
Rudolf Löwenstein, who was classed as a “Mischling” by the Nuremberg race laws, began a relationship with Beer’s daughter Edelgard. At the turn of 1941 to 42, the Beers hid the young man temporarily in their home; he was wanted by the police. He was arrested on his return to Cologne and deported to Theresienstadt on July 27, 1942. A certificate issued by Emil Beer stating that Rudolf Löwenstein was a “loyal Christian” was unable to prevent his deportation. Löwenstein was taken to Auschwitz in September 1943, and murdered there in March 1944.
His parents survived the war, living in hiding in Cologne at times. Emil Beer and his daughter brought them food in secret. The families maintained their contact after the war.