Theodore Wildanger
Theodore Wildanger, (May 1905 - 1989) was a painter born in France who later lived in Virginia. Some of his expressionist paintings are in the style of Marc Chagall. His credo was "Art and Dreams have no Bounds." A paperback book by Jim Kincaid, Theo, was published in 1994. Early life Theodore Wildanger was born May 25, 1905, in Aumetz in northeastern France to Pierre Wildanger and Catherine née Boehles. Pierre was a miner born date and place unknown. Catherine Boehles was born in Bavaria. Theo was the youngest in a working-class family of 12 children. As World War I got underway, Theo had to fend for himself in Aumetz by herding cows for a local farmer in return for a daily meal. As a youngster he was employed in the iron ore mine where his father works. A tram accident claimed part of his right hand. This probably prompted his decision to never go into a mine again. Next he had a brief apprenticeship with a local baker where the dusty conditions aggravated a lung condition which forced Theo to cut short this career. Adult years Theo met Anne-Marie Thekes (Anna) at a dance in the nearby village of