For very good reason, many people referred to him as Mr Europe – a title that was well justified.
During the last days of World War II, Egon as a young soldier had become a prisoner of war, a situation which meant that he did not return to his family home until 1948. Throughout that black period in his life, the only kindness and hope that he received was from members of the YMCA, and he vowed that if he ever returned home alive, he would commit one year of his life to service with the YMCA. In the event, he did not give one year, but he gave 40years, the rest of his working life for the YMCA.
His career started in Germany, and he went on to work in Paris, and then Africa, before returning home in 1973 to become the first Secretary General of the European Alliance of YMCA’s, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.
He started his job as European Secretary without a positive brief, just a clean sheet of paper, and at that time, the whole of “Western Europe” in front of him.
Egon was not an organiser, not a beaurocrat, not a natural administrator, but he was more importantly a visionary. He started from nothing, and spent the early years visiting YMCA situations throughout Europe, introducing people to each other, and inspiring many as he passed by to take a wider view of the YMCA, and to keep going when times were difficult. There are many people in Europe today who look back and confirm that they are there because of the inspiration and guidance of Egon.
He was the epitome of “begleitung” (walking together), a principle which became the driving principle of the Field Groups, which were established to develop new work in the former communist countries of east and central Europe. Throughout 1970’s he was already building strong links within many of these countries.
Egon also led the European YMCA’s to a positive role in the World Alliance of YMCA’s, and built strong links with European institutions, including establishing and co-chairing the European Youth Foundation.
The death of our brother Egon will have a deep impact in so many of us across Europe and the world. One of the most inspiring and visionary leaders in the history of our movement is now in the hand of the Lord. Being blessed as a committed Christian, he spent his entire life being a witness of Jesus.
Egon’s funeral was attended by many YMCA friends from national movements, the European area and the World Alliance of YMCA’s.
