The Mysterious Story of Larry Bader
The Stuff You Should Know podcast explores the bizarre case of Larry Bader, a wealthy and eccentric Ohioan who mysteriously disappeared in 1957. Days later, a man calling himself "Fritz Johnson" appeared in Omaha, bearing a striking resemblance to Bader. This new persona, Fritz, charmed locals with his archery skills and antics, eventually becoming a beloved TV personality.
Nearly a decade later, Bader's niece recognized Fritz, leading to the shocking revelation that Fritz Johnson was, in fact, the missing Larry Bader. The podcast examines the strange circumstances of Bader's disappearance and amnesia, as well as the theories that he suffered a dissociative fugue state brought on by trauma or debt pressures, allowing him to construct a new identity as Fritz Johnson.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 9, 2025 episode of the Stuff You Should Know
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1-Page Summary
Larry Bader's Background and Disappearance
Born into wealth in Akron, Ohio in 1926, Lawrence Joseph "Larry" Bader was known for eccentric behaviors like eating whole chickens. After serving in WWII and failing to complete university, he married Mary Lou Knapp and became a successful but indebted cookware salesman. On May 15, 1957, Bader told Mary Lou, pregnant with their fourth child, he would run financial errands and potentially fish on Lake Erie, but then mysteriously vanished.
Fritz Johnson Appears in Omaha
Just days after Bader's disappearance, a man calling himself "Fritz Johnson" arrived in Omaha, strikingly resembling Bader. Fritz charmed locals with his eccentricity, winning archery titles and becoming a beloved TV personality. The origins of Fritz's new identity remained a mystery.
Discovery: Fritz Johnson Is Larry Bader
In 1965, Bader's niece Susanna recognized Fritz at an archery event and confronted him about being her missing uncle. After fingerprint confirmation from the FBI, it was revealed that Fritz Johnson was indeed Larry Bader. The revelation upended multiple lives - Fritz's marriage was annulled, Mary Lou was unable to remarry, and insurers sought repayment of Bader's declared death benefits.
Bader's Potential Dissociative Fugue State
Bader/Fritz professed complete amnesia about his former life, sincerely believing he was Fritz Johnson. Experts theorized he experienced a dissociative fugue state, prompted by debt stress or a potential Lake Erie trauma, causing him to forget his past identity and construct a new one as Fritz Johnson without deception.
Theories on Bader's Disappearance
The consensus emerged that Larry Bader likely suffered a dissociative fugue, potentially triggered by debt pressures or a traumatic Lake Erie fishing incident, allowing him to recreate himself as Fritz Johnson. Sadly, Fritz/Larry died of cancer in 1966 without recovering his Bader memories.
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Actionables
- You can explore the psychological concept of dissociative fugue through creative writing by crafting a fictional story that mirrors the Bader/Johnson case, focusing on the emotional and social implications of such an identity shift. This activity can deepen your understanding of identity and memory by putting yourself in the shoes of a character experiencing a dissociative fugue, allowing you to explore the themes of identity, memory, and personal crisis in a safe, controlled environment.
- Start a personal stress diary to monitor your stress levels and triggers, especially focusing on financial pressures, to prevent overwhelming situations that could lead to extreme stress responses. By keeping track of your daily stressors and your reactions to them, you can identify patterns and take proactive steps to manage stress, such as seeking financial advice or practicing mindfulness, which may help in mitigating the risk of stress-induced psychological conditions.
- Engage in a role-playing exercise with friends where one person acts as an individual who has lost their memory, and the others take on the roles of family, friends, and legal entities affected by the situation. This can foster empathy and understanding of the complex emotional and legal consequences of identity loss and recovery, as seen in the Bader/Johnson case, and encourage a thoughtful discussion on the importance of identity and memory in personal relationships and societal obligations.
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Larry Bader's Background and Life Before His Disappearance
Larry Bader, From a Wealthy Catholic Family in Akron, Ohio, Was Known For Careless Spending and Strange Behaviors
Lawrence Joseph Bader entered the world in 1926, born into a well-to-do Catholic family in Akron, Ohio. From a young age, Larry and his siblings enjoyed the privileges of a comfortable lifestyle, one that a family friend later recounted as having led to rather carefree, even reckless, attitudes towards money. Larry was a character, famed for his quirky party trick of consuming a whole chicken, bones and all, much to the amazement of onlookers.
Navy Veteran Larry: Marriage, Family, Cookware Sales, Debt Struggles
His stint in the Navy began in 1944, with Larry serving his country for nearly two years during World War II. Upon his return, Larry briefly attended the University of Akron, but his academic pursuits were short-lived; he left after only a semester, disinterested and better known for his money-making schemes than for scholarly achievement.
1952 marked the year Larry wed Mary Lou Knapp. Within the span of five short years, the couple welcomed three children into the world, with a fourth on the horizon. Throughout this period, Larry established himself as a cookware salesman. He was quite successful, drawing in what would be around $120,000 annually in today’s currency—double the median income of the time.
However, success did not translate into financial stability for Larry. He was deep in debt, with the financial weight of an impressive mortgage and a brand-new car purchase dragging him down; these expenses amounted to roughly $24,000 in modern terms. Years of neglecting to pay his taxes had compounded the issue.
Yet, d ...
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Larry Bader's Background and Life Before His Disappearance
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Actionables
- You can create a personal finance tracker to monitor your spending habits and avoid debt like Larry. Start by listing all your income sources and expenses, categorize them, and track them daily or weekly. Use a simple spreadsheet or a budgeting app to see where your money goes, identify areas where you can cut back, and set savings goals to prevent falling into a debt trap.
- Develop a family emergency plan to ensure your loved ones are prepared in case of unexpected events. Gather your family for a meeting to discuss and document important financial information, emergency contacts, and contingency plans. This can include instructions on what to do if someone goes missing, like Larry did, ensuring everyone knows how to respond and who to contact.
- Engage in a creative writing exercise to ...
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Larry Bader's Reappearance as Fritz Johnson in Omaha
In a peculiar twist of fate, Larry Bader’s disappearance led to the emergence of a man named Fritz Johnson in Omaha, who not only shared a striking resemblance with Bader but also became a local legend.
Days After Larry Bader Vanished, Fritz Johnson Appeared In Omaha, Resembling Him Strikingly
Fritz Johnson Charmed Omaha With His Eccentricity, Flamboyance, and Archery Skills
Just three days after Larry Bader vanished, a man named John Johnson, known colloquially as Fritz, entered the Round Table Bar in Omaha and captured the attention of the patrons, including the bartender Betty, with his well-dressed appearance, charm, and wealth. Fritz, proving to be an eccentric and flamboyant character, went on to take a job at Ross's Steakhouse. There, he concocted a unique backstory, claiming he originated from an orphanage where every boy was named John Johnson and nicknames were essential to tell one another apart.
Fritz rapidly became a beloved figure in Omaha for his striking character traits; he drove a hearse converted into a lounge, wore a leather beret, and lived in an apartment decorated with bean bags, throw pillows, champagne parties, and Siamese fighting fish. His interest in archery, taken up initially to strengthen his back, showcased his skills as he clinched a state championship in Nebraska in just five weeks, eventually amassing 13 state archery titles.
Fritz Johnson R ...
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Larry Bader's Reappearance as Fritz Johnson in Omaha
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Clarifications
- Larry Bader's disappearance coincided with Fritz Johnson's sudden appearance in Omaha, creating a mysterious link between the two events. Fritz Johnson's emergence following Bader's vanishing sparked intrigue due to their uncanny physical resemblance and the timing of their respective appearances. This connection between Bader's absence and Johnson's arrival added an element of intrigue and speculation to the unfolding events in Omaha. The circumstances surrounding Bader's disappearance and Johnson's sudden presence intertwined their stories in a captivating and enigmatic manner.
- Fritz Johnson's eccentric behavior and lifestyle choices were influenced by his desire to create a unique identity in Omaha after Larry Bader's disappearance. He embraced flamboyance and eccentricity to stand out and captivate the community's attention. His interest in archery and other unconventional hobbies served as outlets for self-expression and further solidified his distinct persona. Fritz's eccentricities helped him carve a memorable and enigmatic presence in Omaha, allowing him to maintain his new identity separate from his past.
- Fritz Johnson's rapid success in archery, achieving multiple state titles in a short time, can be attributed to his natural talent, dedication to practice, and possibly prior experience or training in the sport. His unique ...
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Discovery: Fritz Johnson Was Actually Larry Bader
A bizarre case of mistaken identity came to light when a man named Fritz Johnson was recognized as a long-missing person, Larry Bader, through the confirmation of fingerprints.
Niece Recognizes Fritz Johnson as Larry Bader Through Fingerprint Confirmation In 1965
A man at an archery demonstration in Chicago, familiar with Larry Bader who disappeared seven years prior, informed Larry's niece, Susanna, of the striking resemblance between Fritzie and her uncle. Susanna confronted Fritzie, inquiring whether he was her long-lost uncle, Larry Bader; however, he politely but firmly denied this. This interaction prompted his niece to reach out to Larry Bader's brothers, who, upon hearing Fritzie's voice, initiated further investigation.
With a need to resolve the suspicions, Fritzie complied with having his fingerprints taken by the police. These prints were then sent to the FBI, which confirmed an exact match with the Naval records of Larry Bader, unequivocally establishing that Fritz Johnson was indeed Larry Bader.
Revelation That Fritz Johnson Was Larry Bader Upended Lives, Including Wife Mary Lou, New Wife Nancy, Insurers, and Authorities Who Declared Him Dead
The truth about Fritz Johnson's identity as Larry Bader unravelled a complex web of complications. His first wife, Mary Lou, already engaged to another man and bound by her Catholic faith, was unable to divorce the 'late' Larry Bader. Fritz' new life also faced turmoil; his marriage with his new wife, Nancy, was annulled, and he was left jobless. He ended up living at the YMCA and working at a bar, managing to send support to both Mary Lou and Nancy.
Moreover, the insurance company pursued the recovery of the $40,000 life insurance payout (worth about $400,000 in 2024), along with the halt of social security payments which had started after Larry was declared dead in 1960. All parties, especially Mary Lou, who had to contemplate reintegrating Larry into her life and her children's lives, faced profound disruptions.
Fritz/Larry Claimed No Memory of His Identity, Believed He Was Fritz Johnson; Experts Suspect a Dissociative Fugue State
Fritz Johnson professed he had no memory of his previous existence as ...
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Discovery: Fritz Johnson Was Actually Larry Bader
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Actionables
- You can safeguard your identity by setting up biometric security measures for your personal accounts. Biometric security, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, can prevent identity theft and ensure that only you can access your sensitive information. For example, enable fingerprint authentication on your banking app or install a smart lock at home that opens with your biometric data.
- Create a personal contingency plan in case of unexpected life events. Start by documenting your important personal information, such as social security number, insurance policies, and bank account details, and store them in a secure location. Inform a trusted family member or friend about where to find this information if something happens to you, ensuring they can manage or investigate your affairs if necessary.
- Educate yourself on mental healt ...
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Theories on Larry Bader's Disappearance and New Identity
The case of Larry Bader's disappearance and presumed emergence as Fritz Johnson has intrigued many, with the internet generating a general consensus that Bader could have suffered a dissociative fugue.
Theory: Larry Bader's Lake Erie Trauma Led to Fugue and New Identity as Fritz Johnson
The dissociative fugue state that Larry Bader may have experienced is a condition marked by a sudden, severe loss of memory, which is not linked to any physical trauma. It is believed that this fugue could have been prompted by a negative experience. In particular, stress from Larry Bader's significant debt, which totaled $2,400 in 1957 dollars, is often highlighted as a potential cause for his fugue state. This substantial financial burden might have led him to start afresh, assuming a new identity as Fritz Johnson.
Theory: Stress and Debt Caused Larry's Fugue State, Leading Him to Start Anew As Fritz
Debt and stress are recognized as possible triggers for dissociative fugue, which aligns with the theory that Larry Bader, under the pressures of his debt, entered this state. Alternatively, a traumatic event, potentially being thrown overboard on a Lake Erie fishing trip, is thought to have induced Bader's fugue state, allowing h ...
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Theories on Larry Bader's Disappearance and New Identity
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Counterarguments
- Dissociative fugue is a rare condition, and there may be alternative explanations for Bader's behavior that are more common or likely.
- Significant debt is a stressor for many individuals who do not experience dissociative fugue, suggesting that other factors may have been at play.
- The assumption that a traumatic event like being thrown overboard led to a fugue state is speculative without corroborative evidence of such an event occurring.
- There may have been intentional reasons for Bader's disappearance unrelated to mental health issues, such as a deliberate choice to escape his current life.
- The connection between Larry Bader and Fritz Johnson could be coincidental, and they might be two different people, with mistaken identity playing a role.
- The lack of definitive evidence makes any theory about Bader's disappearance ...
Actionables
- You can monitor your stress levels and financial health by using a personal finance app with built-in stress tracking features. By inputting your expenses and debts, the app could alert you when your financial stress may be reaching a level that could impact your mental health, prompting you to take action such as seeking financial advice or practicing stress-relief techniques.
- Create a personal emergency narrative as a mental exercise to explore how you might react to unexpected life events. Write a fictional account of yourself experiencing a sudden, life-changing event, and detail how you would adapt and create a new identity or life path. This can help you understand your resilience and ability to cope with change.
- Engage in role-playing games (RPGs) that involve creating c ...
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