BORN June 2 1929, dies December 26 2008.

Married to Hanne for 55 years – a tremendous hard-working couple.

Worked in the courts at Sonthofen after legal training at Wurtzberg.

1972: joined Social Democrat Party – a great campaigner for social democracy.

1977-1998: Leader of S.P.D. 2007: Hon. Chairman of S.P.D. For many years Town Councillor for Immensdadt and Mayor Stein.

Great supporter of twinning with Wellington – Charter signed in Wellington, April 28 1984 (Peter Lee) and in Immenstadt, May 26 1985 (Gillian Allen).

With Hanne they formed a great team to organise twinning exchanges to and from Immenstadt until 1997.

This was an enormous task, as in the early days this could involve finding accommodation for both Wellington adults and childrens’ exchanges in the same year as well as organising superb programmes for each visit.

In addition, they would organise and lead similar exchanges of Immenstadt adults and children to Wellington. Meticulous planning and organisation was their hallmark!

All this work was carried out to further friendship and understanding between the people of Wellington and Immenstadt of all ages, and was carried out enthusiastically in a spirit of fun and learning.

Many Wellington children (and adults) had their first experience of skiing and winter sports. Others learned to walk mountains or enjoy castles and lakes. All learned the name of Immenstadt’s river – I-L-L-E-R, and enjoyed wonderful hospitality.

Leading two trips to the UK a year allowed Hanns to build up tremendous knowledge of Southern England from Dover to Devon – castles, cathedrals, coast and countryside. Such a great team (“talking Hanns” and “working Hanne”).

After retiring from 12 years of leading and organising exchanges, Hanns continued to support the Wellington twinning in his capacity as Town Councillor, and he and Hanne always enjoyed meeting and entertaining old friends.

Their last trip to Wellington was in June 2004 to celebrate 20 years of twinning with Wellington.

Immenstadt is losing a great democratic leader and Wellington is losing a great friend and supporter.