My dad (James R. Chase) was friends with Alex Vonnegut.

These are my initial notes to identify this friend.

-FNC

“Das Deutsche Haus was the first major commission for architects Bernard Vonnegut and Arthur Bohn, both the American-born sons of German immigrants. Bernard's father, Clemens Vonnegut, was one of the half-dozen who joined Hoffmeister to found the first Turner organization and later helped raise money for the building. “

According to http://genwiz.genealogenie.net/lake_maxinkuckee/vonnegut/vonnegut.htm

They [Bernard Vonnegut b 1855 and "Nannie" Nanette [HANNETTE] Schnull born FEB 1859 ] had three children:
8 - KURT Vonnegut b. NOV 24, 1884 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana married Edith Lieber
9 - IRMA Vonnegut born 29 JUN 1890 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and died 5 NOV 1985 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA. She married [-?-] Lindener AFT 1908 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana.
10 - Alexander "ALEX" Vonnegut b. 19 Jul. 1888 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and died 28 JUL 1975 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana Burial: 07/31/1975 Section: 6 Lot: 4 m. JUN 12, 1915 Indianapolis, Marion co., In., 81/270 Raye Dryer born 12 JUN 1889 Maine died died 31 OCT 1983 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana Burial: 11/03/1983 Section: 6 Lot: 4. Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana

Kurt V and Edith Lieber had son and renowned author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. born 1922 died 2007. He was writing from 1950 to 2005.

Alex 1888-1975 was the famous author's father's kid brother (i.e., uncle). He befriended James R. Chase born 1908. Alex evidently was 20 years older than Jim.

The author, Kurt Jr. gave numerous commencement speeches in which he frequently mentioned his uncle Alex.

http://www.vonnegutweb.com/vonnegutia/commencement/rice.html

http://www.vonnegutweb.com/vonnegutia/commencement/agnesscot.html

http://tgaw.wordpress.com/category/authors-and-books/alex-vonnegut/

every graduation address I've delivered has ended, and this one will, too, with old stuff about my Uncle Alex, my father's kid brother.

A Harvard graduate, Alex Vonnegut was locally useful in Indianapolis as an honest insurance agent. He was also well-read and wise.

One thing which Uncle Alex found objectionable about human beings was that they seldom took time out to notice when they were happy.

He himself did his best to acknowledge it when times were sweet.

We could be drinking lemonade in the shade of an apple tree in the summertime, and he would interrupt the conversation to say, "If this isn't nice, what is?".

· Kurt Jr.