Dr Eberhard Langer has died
Lord Mayor Sven Schulze: “The news of Eberhard Langer’s death has left me deeply saddened and shaken. For so many years, I was always able to rely on him as a friend and mentor. I cannot believe that he is no longer with us. Not only did he hold Chemnitz dear to his heart, but he also consistently took responsibility for his city during difficult times: whether as the last Lord Mayor of Karl-Marx-Stadt or later as a local and regional politician. My deepest condolences go to his wife, his children and his family.”
Condolence book available from Wednesday
The City of Chemnitz is giving residents the opportunity to pay their respects to Dr Eberhard Langer in a book of condolence. The book will be available from Wednesday, 9 September, in the foyer of the Town Hall, Markt 1. People can sign the book until 19 September during Town Hall opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays from 8 am to 6 pm and Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm. On Wednesday 9 September, there will be a minute’s silence in memory of Dr Eberhard Langer at the start of the city council meeting.
Dr Eberhard Langer was born on 26 June 1934 in Chemnitz. From 1986 to 1990, he served as the last Lord Mayor of Karl-Marx-Stadt. From August 1994 to June 2019, Langer was a member of Chemnitz City Council. He also served two terms in the Saxon State Parliament from 1990 to 1999.
During the Peaceful Revolution of 1989–1990, Langer was regarded as a level-headed figure. He ensured that the transition at the town hall remained peaceful and, in the spring of 1990, initiated the public consultation on renaming the city.
Dr Eberhard Langer played football for several clubs. Even whilst studying in Leipzig, he organised friendly matches in Karl-Marx-Stadt. When FC Karl-Marx-Stadt was founded, he played for the veterans’ team and began his voluntary work for football in Chemnitz.
In the mid-1990s, he took over as chairman of the newly founded Friends of the Sports Grammar School Association. From 2000, he was chairman of the Förderverein für Jugend, Soziales und Sport e. V. (Friends’ Association for Youth, Social Affairs and Sport). This association is involved in numerous sporting and social projects for hundreds of children and young people from Chemnitz and the surrounding area. For many years, he held up to 16 honorary positions, not only in football. In 2010, he was awarded the Chemmy for his life’s work.
In 2019, Dr Eberhard Langer was entered into the Golden Book of the City of Chemnitz in recognition of his services to the city. He was thus honoured for his outstanding voluntary work for football in Chemnitz.