21-01-20
Commemoration of Dr. Jochen F. Kirchhoff
In a solemn memorial service on January 17, 2020, 900 people filled the churches of Oberste Stadtkirche and Bauernkirche in Iserlohn to bid farewell to Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff, who passed away on December 18, 2019, at the age of 92. More than 200 managers and employees of our company also attended the event.
The main memorial service held in the Oberste Stadtkirche church was broadcasted live on a screen to the Bauernkirche church. At both locations, the ceremonies were well attended. Not only employees of the two German plants in Attendorn and Iserlohn attended the memorial service, but also colleagues from many European plants. Apart from employees, there were guests from society, politics, culture, and representatives of the North Rhine-Westphalia German state government and the presidents of the German Employers' and Metalworkers' Associations.
The life of Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff was marked by creativity, humor, sportsmanship, love of music, people, and especially love for his family. It was fitting then that his family arranged the memorial service for him. Music was one of his greatest passions. Outstanding artists such as the Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen orchestra, guitarist Dale Kavanagh, violinist Moritz Ter Nedden and the Märkische Motettenkreis Iserlohn choir, performed works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and Samuel Barber. Pastor Jürgen Löprich delivered the sermon at the memorial service, Dr. Johannes F. Kirchhoff delivered the personal address of the family, and the grandchildren gave their own statements for their grandfather.
After the ceremony, the Kirchhoff family held a reception at the Schauburg hall in Iserlohn. A series of pictures shown at the reception, exhibited numerous impressions from the private and professional life of Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff.
On the day of the memorial service, a minute of silence was held for Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff in many places across the company.
