Author
Marion Wilkens, Alpha1 Germany eV, as published in Alpha1 Journal 1/2015.
Dear members,
This year began for us with many unfamiliar situations. Our chairman, Gernot Beier, died unexpectedly and, above all, far too soon on March 7th.
Due to his health, he was already unable to attend our first board meeting at the end of January. Exciting items were on our agenda. There was a real sense of optimism and new beginnings. As webmaster, Gernot Beier would have loved to be there. We even tried to connect him to the board meeting via Skype – but the technology failed. Afterwards, Gernot Beier said to me: "This will be an exciting year, one that will show us many changes and new paths. It's time for some movement in the Alpha world."„
Gernot Beier said that a lot of work lay ahead of us. But unfortunately, he didn't live to see this work, these new approaches, and all his ideas for this year implemented. He was right; a lot of work suddenly came our way. Gernot Beier died on March 7th.
Gernot Beier was not one to complain about his fate. We and the board members were not supposed to notice how he was feeling. He always encouraged us to look ahead, to make independent decisions, and to forge new paths. He had long since begun to steer his life's work in the direction he desired. Right up until the end, he poured all his energy into Alpha1. Even on the day of his death, we still received emails from him.
It is a difficult legacy that Gernot Beier has left us. He was a great mentor, and I would like to use this preface to thank him for everything. Thank him for what he taught me and for what he accomplished for the Alpha1 Germany association. We will continue in his spirit to ensure that Alpha1 Germany always has an open ear for its members and all those affected. And we will make sure that research, improving quality of life, and community remain our top priorities.
Together we can achieve a lot.
Yours sincerely, Marion Wilkens
