born Oct. 25, 1913, Bad Godesberg, Ger.
died Sept. 25, 1991, Lyon, France
Nazi leader.
As head of the Gestapo in Lyon, France (194244), he pursued members of the French Resistance and promoted the torture and execution of thousands of prisoners. After World War II he was seized by U.S. authorities in Germany, who recruited him for counterintelligence work (194751) and then moved him and his family to Bolivia. He lived there as a businessman from 1951 until he was extradited to France in 1983 to stand trial. Throughout his trial "the Butcher of Lyon" remained unrepentant and proud of his service to the Nazis. Held responsible for the death of some 4,000 persons and the deportation of some 7,500 others, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.