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In Memoriam: Helmut Schmidt

American Friends of Bucerius is deeply saddened by the passing of former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. He was well-known as a world leader and a remarkable statesman, serving Germany in many posts before being elected Chancellor of what was then West Germany in 1974, serving until 1982. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called him “a father-figure” in a statement published earlier today. Current German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a statement saying that Mr. Schmidt provided “advice and judgment I valued.”

Following his government service, he became an important member of the Bucerius family of institutions, serving on the Board of Trustees of ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius and as co-publisher of DIE ZEIT, the publication which is the cornerstone of Gerd Bucerius’ legacy. Chancellor Schmidt was a native of Hamburg and he returned to live in the city after his service as Chancellor.

The Board of Directors and Staff of American Friends of Bucerius extend our heartfelt condolences to Chancellor Schmidt’s family. We are profoundly grateful for his service to Germany and to the Bucerius institutions.