Pathetic Facts

German music stars who deceased at age 79

Here are 29 famous musicians from Germany died at 79:

Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach

Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (August 7, 1870 The Hague-January 16, 1950) was a German nobleman and businessperson. He had one child, Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach.

Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach was the last member of the Krupp family to run the Krupp steel-making company. He inherited the business from his father, Friedrich Alfred Krupp, in 1902 and oversaw its expansion, making it one of the largest companies in Europe. During his time as CEO, the company played a significant role in Germany's rearmament program in the lead-up to World War II. Following the war, Gustav Krupp was indicted for war crimes, but due to his poor health, the trial was suspended. Despite this, the company was broken up by the Allies and Gustav Krupp was forced to retire, passing the company on to his son, Alfried. Gustav Krupp spent the rest of his days secluded in his estate and died in 1950 at the age of 79.

Gerd Aretz

Gerd Aretz (February 18, 1930 Wuppertal-July 5, 2009) was a German personality.

Gerd Aretz was a prominent German businessman and entrepreneur. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the fashion industry, having served as the CEO and chairman of the fashion company C&A. Under his leadership, C&A became one of the largest fashion retailers in the world, with over 1,500 stores in 21 countries.

Beyond his success in business, Aretz was also known for his philanthropic work. He was a generous supporter of various charities and advocacy groups, particularly those focused on child welfare and education. Aretz was also a passionate art collector, and his personal collection included works by some of the world's most celebrated artists.

Throughout his career, Aretz was widely respected for his tireless work ethic, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He passed away in 2009, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Germany's most successful and influential businessmen.

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Sigfried Giedion

Sigfried Giedion (April 14, 1888 Prague-April 10, 1968 Zürich) a.k.a. Sigfried Gideon or S. Giedion was a German architect.

However, he is best known for his work as an architectural historian and critic. Giedion was one of the most influential figures in the modernist movement in architecture and design, with his seminal work "Space, Time and Architecture" being widely regarded as one of the most important texts in the field. In addition to his writing, Giedion was a key organizer of a number of important architectural exhibitions, including the influential "Modern Architecture: International Exhibition" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1932. He also played an important role in the establishment of the Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM), which helped to spread the modernist message around the world. Despite his reputation as a leading modernist, however, Giedion remained deeply interested in the historical roots of architecture and design, and was a lifelong advocate for the importance of studying and learning from the past in order to create a better future.

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Robert Schmidt

Robert Schmidt (May 15, 1864 Berlin-September 16, 1943 Berlin) was a German politician.

He was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and served as a member of the Reichstag, the German parliament, from 1912 to 1933. Schmidt was also a trade unionist and played a key role in negotiating various collective bargaining agreements for German workers.

During the Weimar Republic era, Schmidt was a prominent advocate for workers' rights and was involved in the design and implementation of various social welfare programs. However, following the rise of the Nazi regime, he was persecuted for his political beliefs and was forced to go into hiding.

Ultimately, Schmidt was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and died in prison later that year. Despite his tragic end, he remains an important figure in the history of the German labor movement and is remembered for his tireless efforts to improve the lives of German workers.

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Rudolf Carnap

Rudolf Carnap (May 18, 1891 Ronsdorf-September 14, 1970 Santa Monica) was a German philosopher.

He was one of the leading figures of the Vienna Circle, a group of philosophers and scientists who sought to apply the principles of logical positivism to philosophical and scientific thought. Carnap made significant contributions to the development of formal logic and the philosophy of language, and is known for his work on the verification principle, which states that a statement is only meaningful if it can be empirically verified or confirmed. He emigrated to the United States in 1935, where he continued his work at the University of Chicago and later at the University of California, Los Angeles. Despite some controversy over his views on metaphysics and ontology, Carnap remains an important figure in 20th century philosophy.

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Paul Lindau

Paul Lindau (June 3, 1839 Magdeburg-January 31, 1919 Berlin) also known as Klaus Wyk was a German writer.

He began his career as a journalist and worked for several German newspapers, including the Berliner Tageblatt. Lindau was known for his prolific writing and versatility as he wrote in multiple genres, including plays, novels, and non-fiction. He was also an important literary and dramatic critic, and his literary reviews were widely respected in German literary circles.

Lindau was a prominent figure in the German theater scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He successfully produced his own plays, including his most successful work, "Der stille Herr von Kenntnern" ("The Silent Lord of Kenntern"). Lindau also worked as a theater director and was instrumental in the modernization of the German theater.

Besides his work as a writer and critic, Lindau was also heavily involved in politics. He was a member of the German Reichstag, the lower house of the German parliament. In his early years, Lindau was a liberal democrat, but later in life, he became disillusioned with the political process and became more conservative.

Lindau's contributions to German literature and theater have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and honors. The Paul Lindau Prize for Dramatic Art was established in his honor and is awarded annually to honor outstanding achievements in German theater.

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Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (January 24, 1889 Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein-July 4, 1968 Kappeln) was a German personality.

He was a highly decorated general in the German Army during both WWI and WWII. During WWII, Ramcke served in numerous battlefronts including Africa, Italy, and Normandy. He is most known for leading the defense of the island of La Goulette against the Allied forces during the Tunisia Campaign. Ramcke was later captured by the British in Tunisia and was imprisoned for the remainder of the war. After the war, he went on to write several books and worked as a businessman.

Olga Costa

Olga Costa (August 28, 1913 Leipzig-June 28, 1993) was a German personality.

Olga Costa was a German-Mexican painter known for her unique style of incorporating indigenous Mexican themes and symbols into her artwork. She grew up in Leipzig, Germany and originally studied architecture before switching to painting. In 1938, she left Germany and moved to Mexico, where she became interested in the country's rich culture and history.

Costa's artwork often featured bright colors and bold lines, with a focus on traditional Mexican motifs such as skulls, flowers, and religious icons. She was associated with the Mexican muralism movement, which aimed to create public art that reflected the social and political issues of the time. Costa's murals can be seen in several public buildings in Mexico, including the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City.

In addition to her artistic work, Costa was also a teacher and mentor to many young artists in Mexico. She founded the Taller de Gráfica Popular (Popular Graphic Workshop), which aimed to make art more accessible to the Mexican people by producing affordable prints that could be distributed widely. Costa's contributions to Mexican art and culture were recognized with several awards, including the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in Fine Arts in 1984.

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Hermann Gundert

Hermann Gundert (February 4, 1814 Stuttgart-April 25, 1893 Calw) a.k.a. H. Gundert was a German personality.

He was a scholar, linguist, and missionary who is best known for his work in India. Gundert arrived in India in 1836 as a Protestant missionary and worked in the southern state of Kerala for over 20 years. He devoted his life to learning the local language and culture, and is credited with creating the first complete grammar and dictionary of the Malayalam language. Gundert also played a significant role in bringing social reforms in Kerala, including the establishment of schools for girls, and promoting literacy and education among the lower castes. His contributions to the study of Malayalam language and culture have had a lasting impact on the region, and he is revered as a cultural icon in Kerala to this day.

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Johann Heinrich von Mädler

Johann Heinrich von Mädler (May 29, 1794 Berlin-March 14, 1874 Hanover) also known as Johann Heinrich von Madler was a German personality.

He was an astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of the Moon. Mädler is best known for his lunar maps, including the first complete map of the Moon, which he created with Wilhelm Beer. He also discovered the lunar crater now known as "Mädler" and made important observations of the planet Mars. Mädler was the director of the Hanover Observatory from 1837 to 1856, and his work helped to establish the observatory as a leading center for astronomy in Germany. In addition to his scientific achievements, Mädler was also a gifted artist and musician.

Paul Lincke

Paul Lincke (November 7, 1866 Berlin-September 3, 1946 Hahnenklee) a.k.a. Ted Huggens or Lincke, Paul was a German personality.

He was a composer and the creator of the Berliner operetta style. Lincke began his career as a military musician and later became a composer for various theaters in Berlin. He achieved his biggest success with the operetta "Frau Luna" in 1899. The piece became widely popular and its title song, "Das Glück ist ja nur ein Augenblick," became a beloved classic. Lincke continued to compose operettas and operas throughout his career, becoming one of the most prominent composers of his time. He was also an accomplished conductor and a member of several professional music societies. Lincke passed away in Hahnenklee, Germany at the age of 79, leaving behind an impressive legacy in the world of music.

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Johann George Tromlitz

Johann George Tromlitz (November 8, 1725 Reinsdorf, Thuringia-February 4, 1805 Leipzig) was a German personality.

He was a musician, conductor and music theorist who is best known for his work on the flute. Tromlitz was a prolific writer and composed a number of works on music theory throughout his career, including his influential treatise on the flute, "Die neue und vollständige Flöten-Schule" (The New and Complete Flute Method), which was published in 1791. This work is still considered a standard reference for flutists today.

Tromlitz was also a respected performer and conductor, serving as the principal flutist and conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for over forty years. He played an important role in the development of the orchestra, which had a significant impact on the development of classical music in Germany.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Tromlitz was also an inventor and entrepreneur. He invented a type of glass flutophone that was used in the production of glass harmonicas, and he ran a successful music publishing business in Leipzig.

Overall, Johann George Tromlitz was a highly influential figure in the world of music in 18th century Germany, and his contributions to music theory, performance, and instrument design continue to influence the world of music to this day.

Hermann Schlegel

Hermann Schlegel (June 10, 1804 Altenburg-January 17, 1884 Leiden) was a German scientist.

He is best known for his contributions to ornithology and herpetology. Schlegel began his career as a physician, but turned his focus to natural history and zoology. He served as the director of the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he worked to expand its collections and make it a center of scientific research.

Schlegel's work on birds and reptiles led to the publication of several important books, including the multivolume "Traité de Fauconnerie" and "Die Serpentinen von Java." He also contributed to the scientific understanding of the orangutan, which was relatively unknown at the time.

In addition to his scientific work, Schlegel was a respected artist, and his illustrations and paintings of birds and reptiles were highly regarded. He was also a member of several scientific societies and received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of natural history.

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Hermann von Ihering

Hermann von Ihering (October 9, 1850 Kiel-February 24, 1930 Giessen) was a German personality.

He was a notable zoologist, philosopher, and professor who made significant contributions to the study of animal behavior and evolution. After completing his studies in zoology at the University of Leipzig, he went on to teach at various universities around Europe, including in Brazil where he made significant contributions to the study of the country's diverse fauna. In addition to his work in the field of zoology, Ihering was also well known for his philosophical writings on ethics and social justice. He published several influential works, including "The Evolution of Ethics," which explored the origins and development of moral principles across different cultures and societies. Ihering was highly regarded by his colleagues for his innovative thinking and dedication to advancing the field of zoology. Despite facing significant obstacles throughout his career, including political persecution during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, he continued to pursue his research and teaching until his death in 1930.

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Alfred Ploetz

Alfred Ploetz (August 22, 1860 Germany-March 20, 1940 Herrsching) otherwise known as Dr. Alfred Ploetz was a German physician.

He was one of the most prominent and influential proponents of the eugenics movement, which aimed to improve the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding and sterilization. Ploetz was also a significant figure in the history of German psychology, having established a laboratory for experimental psychology at the University of Berlin. His views on race, genetics, and human evolution were instrumental in shaping the ideology of the Nazi regime in Germany, although he himself had ceased to be politically active by the time the Nazis came to power. Despite his controversial legacy, Ploetz is regarded by some as a visionary thinker who contributed greatly to the emerging field of genetics and the understanding of human behavior.

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Conrad Felixmüller

Conrad Felixmüller (May 21, 1897 Dresden-March 24, 1977 Zehlendorf) otherwise known as Conrad Felixmuller was a German personality.

He was a painter, printmaker, teacher, and writer, associated with the Expressionist movement. Felixmüller was a member of the Dresden Secession and later became a member of the Communist Party of Germany. He is known for his socially critical and politically engaged art, which often depicted the struggles of the working class. His work was banned by the Nazi regime and he was forced to go into hiding during World War II. After the war, he continued to create art and teach, eventually settling in East Germany. His work can be found in major art museums throughout Germany and Europe.

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Max Nettlau

Max Nettlau (April 30, 1865-July 23, 1944 Amsterdam) was a German personality.

Max Nettlau was a German anarchist and historian who devoted his life to the study of anarchism and the writing of its history. He was a leading figure in the anarchist movement and wrote extensively on anarchist theory and practice. Nettlau was also part of the inner circle of the anarchist movement and corresponded with many of its key figures, including Peter Kropotkin, Emma Goldman, and Errico Malatesta. He was a prolific writer and his research and writings on anarchism has been highly influential on subsequent generations of scholars and activists. During the Spanish Civil War, he played a key role in helping exiled anarchists and helped to smuggle them out of Spain. His lifelong dedication to the anarchist movement has helped to shape its intellectual and ideological framework.

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Emil von Sauer

Emil von Sauer (October 8, 1862 Hamburg-April 27, 1942 Vienna) also known as Sauer, Emil von was a German pianist, composer and music pedagogue.

His albums: The Romantic Piano Concerto, Volume 11: Scharwenka: Piano Concerto no. 4 in F minor / Sauer: Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor.

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Hans Scharoun

Hans Scharoun (September 20, 1893 Bremen-November 25, 1972 Berlin) was a German architect.

He is known for his expressionist buildings and his commitment to designing spaces that promote social interaction and community engagement. Scharoun studied architecture at the Technical University of Berlin and later worked as a freelance architect.

His most famous work is the Berlin Philharmonic concert hall, which was completed in 1963. The hall's design reflects Scharoun's interest in creating organic and fluid forms that harmonize with their surroundings.

During World War II, Scharoun was banned from practicing architecture due to his political beliefs. After the war, he was appointed as a professor at the Technical University of Berlin, where he had a significant impact on architectural education and the development of modern architecture in Germany.

Scharoun was also involved in city planning and urban design, and he played an important role in the rebuilding of Berlin after the war. His designs were influenced by the ideas of the Garden City movement and he sought to create communities that combined green spaces with housing and other amenities.

Throughout his career, Scharoun received numerous awards and honors, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Order of Merit of Berlin. His legacy continues to inspire architects and urban planners around the world.

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Wilhelm Hieronymus Pachelbel

Wilhelm Hieronymus Pachelbel (April 5, 1685 Erfurt-April 5, 1764) also known as Pachelbel, Wilhelm Hieronymus was a German personality.

He was a well-known musician, composer, and music teacher. His father, Johann Pachelbel, was also a renowned musician and composer. Wilhelm Hieronymus Pachelbel was heavily influenced by his father's work and began his music education under his guidance. He's best known for his contributions to church music, including choral preludes and fugues. Aside from his musical pursuits, Pachelbel also worked as an educator and taught music at various schools and academies throughout Germany. His legacy lives on, and his music continues to be studied and performed by musicians around the world.

Johannes Frießner

Johannes Frießner (March 22, 1892 Chemnitz-June 26, 1971 Bad Reichenhall) was a German personality.

He served as a general in the German army during World War II and was later taken into custody by the Allies. During his military career, Frießner was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, making him one of the most decorated soldiers in the German army. Following the war, he was tried for war crimes but was eventually acquitted due to a lack of evidence. After his release, Frießner became an advocate for the reunification of Germany and wrote several books on military strategy and tactics.

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Paul Bonatz

Paul Bonatz (December 6, 1877 Solgne-December 20, 1956 Stuttgart) was a German architect.

He is best known for his work on the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Stuttgart Central Station) and Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Frankfurt Central Station), both of which are still in use today. Bonatz also designed several bridges, including the Friedrichsbrücke in Berlin and the Neckarbrücke in Heilbronn. In addition to his architectural work, Bonatz taught at the Technical University of Stuttgart and served as the rector from 1924 to 1925. He was a member of the Nazi Party from 1937 until the end of World War II, although it is unclear how active he was in the party. After the war, Bonatz was briefly detained by French authorities but was eventually released.

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Felix Andries Vening Meinesz

Felix Andries Vening Meinesz (July 30, 1887 The Hague-August 10, 1966 Amersfoort) was a German scientist and geologist.

Actually, Felix Andries Vening Meinesz was a Dutch scientist and geophysicist. He is best known for his work in developing the modern gravimeter and for his contributions to the field of geodesy. Vening Meinesz was also the first to discover the existence of the mantle of the Earth, a layer of semi-solid rock that lies beneath the Earth's crust. He conducted numerous expeditions to study the Earth's gravitational field and its relationship with the mantle, and his work helped pave the way for modern geophysical research. In addition to his scientific work, Vening Meinesz was also a decorated naval officer, having served in World War I and World War II. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest geophysicists of the 20th century.

Rudolf Augstein

Rudolf Augstein (November 5, 1923 Hanover-November 7, 2002 Hamburg) was a German journalist. He had one child, Hannah Franziska Augstein.

Augstein co-founded the weekly news magazine Der Spiegel in 1947, which quickly became one of the most influential publications in Germany. He served as its editor-in-chief from 1952 to 1994, during which time he established an unwavering commitment to investigative journalism and critical commentary on politics and culture.

In addition to his work with Der Spiegel, Augstein was an outspoken public figure, advocating for liberal democracy and critical of government censorship and authoritarian tendencies. He received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Augstein's legacy continues to shape journalism today, and his commitment to journalistic integrity and freedom of the press continues to be an inspiration to journalists around the world.

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Theodor Heuss

Theodor Heuss (January 31, 1884 Brackenheim-December 12, 1963 Stuttgart) was a German politician and journalist.

He was the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 until 1959. Prior to this, he had been a member of parliament during the Weimar Republic and had worked as a journalist for various publications. Heuss was known for his liberal views and advocacy for democracy and human rights. He was also a respected author and wrote several books on topics such as politics, ethics, and aesthetics. In addition to his political career, Heuss was also involved in the cultural sector, serving as the president of the German Academy for Language and Poetry from 1953 until his death.

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Christoph Martin Wieland

Christoph Martin Wieland (September 5, 1733 Achstetten-January 20, 1813 Weimar) was a German writer.

He is best known for his translations of works from other languages, particularly those of William Shakespeare, and for his own original works, which often experimented with form and genre. Wieland was a prominent figure in the German Enlightenment, and his work reflects the movement's emphasis on reason, tolerance, and scientific inquiry. Despite his status as a key figure in German literature, his works have not been as widely translated into English as those of other German writers of his time. In addition to his literary work, Wieland also played an active role in public life, serving on local councils and advocating for political reform.

Joseph Wolf

Joseph Wolf (January 21, 1820 Germany-April 20, 1899 London) was a German artist and visual artist.

He was best known for his work as a scientific illustrator and for his depictions of animals. Wolf's illustrations were featured in many scientific publications and his skill in accurately portraying natural subjects earned him the nickname "the Audubon of Europe." He moved to London in 1848 and began working as a natural history illustrator for the Zoological Society of London, where he created more than 2,500 illustrations of animals. Wolf was also an accomplished oil painter, and his works were exhibited in galleries throughout Europe. In addition, he was a founding member of the Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Watercolour Society. Despite his success, Wolf suffered from depression throughout his life and died by suicide at the age of 79.

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Christian Günther

Christian Günther (December 29, 1886 Sweden-April 5, 1966) also known as Christian Gunther was a German politician.

He was a member of the Nazi Party and served in various positions within the party, including as a member of the Reichstag. During World War II, he held the position of Chief of Staff in the 7th Army on the Eastern Front. After the war, he was tried and convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison. He died while serving his sentence.

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William Dieterle

William Dieterle (July 15, 1893 Ludwigshafen-December 9, 1972 Ottobrunn) also known as Wilhelm Dieterle, The Iron Stove or W. Dieterle was a German film director, actor, screenwriter, film producer and theatre director.

Born in Germany, William Dieterle began his career in the film industry in the early 1920s. He quickly rose to prominence as a director and became known for his visually stunning and emotionally charged films. Dieterle was also known for his emphasis on character development and his ability to bring out the best in his actors.

In the 1930s, Dieterle emigrated to the United States and began working in Hollywood. He quickly established himself as a major director and was responsible for some of the most acclaimed films of the era, including "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1939) and "The Life of Emile Zola" (1937), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Dieterle continued to work in Hollywood throughout the 1940s and 1950s, directing films such as "Portrait of Jennie" (1948) and "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1941). He was known for his ability to handle a wide range of genres, including drama, romance, and fantasy.

In addition to his work in film, Dieterle was also a respected stage director and had a long career in the theatre. He died in 1972, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most versatile and talented filmmakers of his time.

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