Hans Leipelt was born in Vienna on July 18, 1921. His father, Konrad Leipelt, was an engineer and his mother, Katharina, had a doctorate in chemistry. His mother came from a progressive Jewish family, who let their daughter study, which was still somewhat unusual at that time. Both parents were of Protestant faith. Their two children, Hans and his sister Maria who was born in Hamburg in 1925, were raised as Protestants and confirmed. jlrweb