The Man Who Calculated Death: Episode 7 - "The Dark Road of the Future"

Release Date: April 22, 2025
Host/Author: PodcastOne
Description:
In 2013, journalist Suzanne Rico receives a poignant call: her mother, Gabrielle, is dying. Gabrielle leaves Suzanne and her sister, Stephanie, with an unfinished memoir detailing her tumultuous World War II childhood and a final, enigmatic request: “Finish what I started.” As Suzanne and Stephanie delve into their mother's past, they uncover startling truths about their ancestry, particularly surrounding their grandfather, the inventor Robert Lesser, and his involvement with the Third Reich. This journey not only seeks closure but also unearths profound revelations that challenge their understanding of family and fate.

1. Opening Reflections and Introducing the Scene

The episode begins with Suzanne Rico setting the stage for a deeply personal exploration into her family's history.

Suzanne Rico [00:00]: "Hi, everyone, it's Suzanne Rico. Just a quick reminder that new episodes of The Man Who Calculated Death are available for free every Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening. And now onto the show."

Setting: March 2013, Cupertino, California. Suzanne gathers with friends and family in her mother's bedroom, reflecting on the imminence of death and the emotional farewells exchanged.

Tante Heidi [00:52]: "We love your Nana."

Gabrielle [00:17]: "I came to explore what it means to die, and now here I am. I'm pretty close."

2. Gabrielle's Final Days and the Unfinished Memoir

As Gabrielle approaches her final moments, she reveals an unfinished memoir about her World War II childhood, urging her daughters to "Finish what I started."

Gabrielle [02:01]: "And I need to be able to carry that with me into whatever mystery awaits me and actually awaits all of us."

The memoir hints at deep-seated family secrets and the enigmatic role of Robert Lesser during the war.

3. Unveiling the Family's Wartime Past

The narrative transitions to Gabrielle's childhood during World War II, revealing the hardships faced by her family in Germany.

Key Insights:

• Robert Lesser's Role: Suzanne's grandfather, Robert Lesser, was a prominent aeronautical engineer working on the V1 flying bomb for the Nazi regime.
• Trummefrawen Rubble Women: Post-bombing, local women, including Tante Heidi, worked tirelessly to salvage belongings from destroyed homes.

Narrator [03:02]: "The job of solving that mystery was mine now, and there were clues to be found in her story of what happened in the wake of disaster."

4. The Discovery of the Leitz Otner Binder

A pivotal moment occurs when a teenager discovers a mysterious three-ring binder amidst the debris, containing detailed accounts of warplanes and secret weapons.

Tante Heidi [04:42]: "It was a three ring binder. It's called a Leitz Otner. Leitz Otner L E I T."

This discovery sets off a chain of events that intertwines the family's present-day quest with their historical legacy.

5. The Telegram That Changed Everything

Robert Lesser receives a cryptic telegram informing him of Gabrielle's death, compelling him to return from his war efforts to reunite with his family.

Tante Heidi [10:55]: "This telegram said something really simple. Wife Dead. Come at once. Nothing about wife, dead children, okay?"

Despite the chaos of war-torn Germany and the impending Russian advance, Robert secures permission to leave Berlin, highlighting the profound impact of familial loss on his decisions.

Robert Lesser [12:18]: "We were all lined up in front of the door, and dad stopped his car and walked up and absolutely broke down sobbing."

6. Life After War: Struggles and Suspicion

Post-war Bavaria presents new challenges as American soldiers occupy the region. Robert's past work makes him a person of interest, leading to suspicion and eventual ostracization by the local community.

Tante Heidi [27:18]: "He figures he's on the Allies radar. He'd escaped the Russians in Berlin, but now American soldiers occupy Bavaria and he has no idea if he's on their list of war criminals."

The villagers' discovery of Robert's binder, detailing his wartime achievements, fuels paranoia and fear, resulting in the family's exile from the community.

Tante Heidi [33:08]: "In it was my grandfather's career history. Every achievement documented in black and white."

7. The Bombing of the Stuttnehof Farmhouse

A critical mystery revolves around the bomb that devastated the Stuttnehof farmhouse, where Suzanne's grandmother Hilda was killed. The possibility arises that the bombing was a targeted act of revenge against Robert Lesser's contributions to the Nazi war machine.

Tante Heidi [36:14]: "Why would the bombs hit this remote farmhouse in Bavaria? Why?"

Narrator [36:56]: "The evidence fits. A mosquito coming in low altitude with a directed a targeted raid on the farmhouse."

Suzanne and her family investigate the specifics of the bombing, seeking answers that remain elusive and deeply personal.

8. Reflections on Fate and Legacy

Throughout the episode, themes of fate and destiny permeate the narrative. Tante Heidi muses on the concept of "Schicksal" (fate), pondering whether Gabrielle's death was preordained to save the family from further tragedy.

Tante Heidi [13:40]: "Schicksal. It's the German word for fate, defined as an inevitable and often adverse outcome."

The family's exploration of their past becomes a quest to understand their present, grappling with inherited traumas and unresolved mysteries.

9. Personal Struggles and Genetic Legacies

The episode delves into the hereditary aspects of trauma and illness, revealing that Gabrielle's colon cancer was linked to a genetic mutation passed down from Hilda. This revelation adds a layer of personal urgency to Suzanne and Stephanie's mission to complete their mother's memoir.

Narrator [19:44]: "My mom, Gabrielle, was first diagnosed with cancer just before her 40th birthday. Colon cancer. And tests showed it was caused by a genetic mutation. A mutation she inherited from her mother."

10. Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Revelations

As the episode draws to a close, Suzanne hints at continuing investigations and unresolved questions that will be addressed in future episodes. The intertwined narratives of war, family, and fate set the stage for deeper explorations into the Lesser family's legacy.

Narrator [37:16]: "In it was my grandfather's career history. Every achievement documented in black and white."

Narrator [36:14]: "Coming up on The Man Who Calculated Death."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Gabrielle [00:17]: "I came to explore what it means to die, and now here I am. I'm pretty close."
• Tante Heidi [04:42]: "It was a three ring binder. It's called a Leitz Otner. Leitz Otner L E I T."
• Robert Lesser [12:18]: "We were all lined up in front of the door, and dad stopped his car and walked up and absolutely broke down sobbing."
• Tante Heidi [10:55]: "This telegram said something really simple. Wife Dead. Come at once. Nothing about wife, dead children, okay?"
• Narrator [19:44]: "My mom, Gabrielle, was first diagnosed with cancer just before her 40th birthday. Colon cancer. And tests showed it was caused by a genetic mutation. A mutation she inherited from her mother."

Conclusion

Episode 7 of The Man Who Calculated Death intricately weaves personal family history with broader historical events, offering listeners a gripping narrative of discovery, loss, and the quest for truth. Suzanne Rico’s exploration into her family's past not only uncovers dark secrets but also sheds light on the enduring impact of war on subsequent generations. As Suzanne and Stephanie continue to piece together their mother's memoir, listeners are poised for further revelations that promise to deepen the mystery and emotional resonance of the Lesser family's story.