Carl-Heinz Rodenberg

Carl-Heinz Rodenberg

Name	Carl-Heinz Rodenberg
Birth name
Birth date	19 November 1904
Birth place	Schneidemühl, German Empire
Death date	5 January 1995
Death place	Rüthen, Germany
Alma mater
Occupation	Neurologist, Psychiatrist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Involvement in Nazi euthanasia programs
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Carl-Heinz Rodenberg (19 November 1904 – 5 January 1995) was a German neurologist and psychiatrist who played a significant role in the Nazi euthanasia programs during World War II. He was involved in the Action T4 program, which was responsible for the systematic murder of individuals deemed "unworthy of life" by the Nazi regime.

Early Life and Education

Carl-Heinz Rodenberg was born in Schneidemühl, a town in the German Empire, which is now Piła, Poland. He pursued medical studies and specialized in neurology and psychiatry. Rodenberg completed his medical degree and began his career in the field of mental health.

Career and Involvement with the Nazi Regime

Rodenberg's career took a significant turn when he became involved with the Nazi Party. He joined the SS and rose to the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer. His expertise in psychiatry was utilized by the Nazi regime to further their eugenics policies.

Action T4 Program

Rodenberg was appointed as the chief expert for the Action T4 program, which was a covert operation aimed at eliminating individuals with physical and mental disabilities. The program was part of the broader euthanasia policy of the Nazis, which sought to "purify" the Aryan race by removing those considered "genetically inferior."

Rodenberg's role involved assessing patients and determining their eligibility for the program. He was responsible for signing off on the deaths of thousands of individuals, including children and adults, who were murdered in gas chambers or through lethal injection.

Post-War Life and Legacy

After the defeat of Nazi Germany, Rodenberg was arrested and tried for his involvement in the euthanasia programs. However, like many others involved in these crimes, he was not held accountable to the full extent of his actions. He was released and continued to live in Germany until his death in 1995.

Rodenberg's legacy is a grim reminder of the atrocities committed under the guise of medical science and the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals. His involvement in the Action T4 program is a subject of study in the fields of medical ethics and history.

Also see

• Action T4
• Nazi eugenics
• Euthanasia
• Nazi human experimentation
• SS (Schutzstaffel)