Impressions from the memorial service at the church

As the first speaker, Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow spoke about the life’s work of Hans B. Bauerfeind and described him as a personality who “embodied German unification” and “a person who was of great importance to the Zeulenroda region”. He said about his relationship with Hans B. Bauerfeind: “It is a great loss, even for someone like me who had to learn being directly confronted with criticism. I’m really very grateful for that.”

Chairman of the Supervisory Board Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer remembered his entrepreneurial activity and pointed out that Hans B. Bauerfeind was a co-founder of the Foundation for Family Businesses where Kirchdörfer has been on the Executive Board since 2012. The Professor was the most impressive business personality Kirchdörfer met in 40 years of working with family-run companies.

The memorial service was relayed to a screen outside the church so that all guests would be able to say a heartfelt good-bye.

During Martina Schweinsburg’s entire political career, Prof. Hans B. Bauerfeind was a companion, adviser, and close friend. The District Administrator emphasized Bauerfeind’s connection with his home town: “Zeulenroda wouldn’t be what it is without him.”

On August 16, 2023, friends, family, and contemporaries met to remember Hans B. Bauerfeind in the church where he was baptized and where he made a significant contribution to its renovation.

The Bauerfeind family, Marion Bauerfeind, widow, at the front, at the church.

Prof. Dr. med. Heinrich Hess was close friends with Prof. Hans B. Bauerfeind. The sports physician came up with the concept of the GenuTrain knee support and Hans B. Bauerfeind was one of the few people to be open to this idea: “Without him, this medical miracle wouldn’t have been possible.”

“His life’s work is in good hands with Rainer Berthan, Chief Executive Officer, and his team,” says Prof. Heinrich Hess. from left to right: Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Martina Schweinsburg, Rainer Berthan, Bodo Ramelow, Nils Hammerschmidt (Mayor of Zeulenroda-Triebes) and his wife Yvette Hammerschmidt, Katharina Dietrich (Chief Technical Officer Bauerfeind AG).

Moving words: Thomas Bauerfeind, Bettina Bauerfeind, and Beatrix Bauerfeind-Johnson talked about Hans B. Bauerfeind as a father who loved spending time with his children on Sundays going hiking, cycling, or playing board games. They recited from three of his favorite poems, each fulfilling a special meaning: “Der Erlkönig” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe represents Hans B. Bauerfeind as the father. Goethe’s “Der Zauberlehrling” (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) is reminiscent of his strong will, and Schiller’s “Glocke” (Song of the Bell) expressed his life’s work.

The Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stefan Fraas played favorite pieces chosen by Hans B. Bauerfeind: Orchestra Suite No. 3 in D major BWV 1068 – Air by Johann Sebastian Bach, extracts from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and in conclusion “Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351” by Georg Friedrich Händel.