The former Bavarian Minister of Science and Education, Hans Zehetmair, has died at the age of 86. “I received the news of Hans Zehetmair’s death with deep sadness,” said Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). “We are losing one of the most distinguished education and science politicians in Bavaria and all of Germany.”
According to his son Michael, Hans Zehetmair died of cardiac arrest in a hospital on Sunday.
District Administrator, Member of Parliament, Minister
Zehetmair was born in 1936 in Langengeisling near Erding. After studying in Munich, Zehetmair worked for ten years as a teacher at the Dom-Gymnasium in Freising. From 1974 to 1978 and from 1990 to 2003 he sat for the CSU in the Bavarian state parliament, in between he was district administrator of Erding for eight years. In 1986 he became Minister of Education and in 1989 also Minister of Science and Art.
From 1993 to 1998 he was also deputy prime minister under Edmund Stoiber (CSU). He was a member of the cabinet until 2003. He was then chairman of the Hanns Seidel Foundation for more than a decade and chairman of the Council for German Orthography for twelve years. Zehetmair was married and the father of three children.
“Outstanding Personality for the Free State”
Söder emphasized that Zehetmair had had a lasting impact on the educational state of Bavaria and was the godfather “that today Bavaria is one of the strongest science locations in the world”. In particular, the establishment of the universities of applied sciences, which he brought to all regions of Bavaria with many new foundations, bears his signature. “Bayern will honor his memory. Our thoughts are with his family,” added the Prime Minister.
Social Affairs Minister Ulrike Scharf (CSU) praised Zehetmair as “an outstanding personality for the Free State of Bavaria”. He has had a decisive influence on educational policy in Bavaria and Germany for decades. The focus of his work was the personal development of the young generation and the opportunities for participation. “His legacy continues to have an impact on the educational goals of child day care in Bavaria.”
Blume honors Zehetmair’s life’s work
For the current Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume (CSU), Zehetmair was “THE Minister of Education and Science par excellence”. With tireless commitment, great willingness to make decisions and impressive energy, he shaped an epoch. “I salute his impressive life’s work.” His commitment to the Free State of Bavaria has an impact beyond the day.
The FDP education politician and ex-science minister Wolfgang Heubisch praised Zehetmair’s achievements for Bavaria as a science location and the expansion of the Bavarian college and university landscape. “My thoughts are with his family.”