Born in 1915 in Zell am See, Austria, Mr. von Trapp was the fourth child and second son of Captain Georg von Trapp and his first wife, Agathe Whitehead. In the movie "The Sound of Music," Werner von Trapp was depicted by the character named Kurt.
During the 1930s, Mr. von Trapp studied cello and became proficient on several other instruments. He sang tenor with his family's choir, The Trapp Family Singers, who won great acclaim throughout Europe after their debut in 1935.
In 1938, Mr. von Trapp and his family escaped from Nazi-occupied Austria. After they arrived in New York, the family became popular with concert audiences. The family eventually settled in Vermont.
During World War II, Mr. von Trapp served in Europe with the US Army. After the war, Mr. von Trapp returned to his family's farm in Stowe and resumed touring with the family choir.
After The Trapp Family Singers retired, Mr. von Trapp helped to found a music school in Reading, Penn., called the Community School of Music.
Several years later, he brought his family back to Vermont and eventually settled on a dairy farm in Waitsfield, where he farmed with his family until he retired in 1979. He spent the years after his retirement traveling and weaving, spinning, and crocheting.
Mr. von Trapp leaves his wife of 58 years, Erika, and six children. He also leaves three sisters and one brother.
