Political Memorial Service for Rudi Schmitt
On Saturday, August 22, a political memorial service was held in the ballroom of City Hall for Rudi Schmitt, an honorary citizen and former mayor who passed away in April. The service was attended by family, friends, colleagues, city employees, and politicians. At the family’s request, no funeral service was held at the Marktkirche. As an honorary citizen, Rudi Schmitt would have been entitled to one. Instead, the city hosted the political memorial service.
“Rudi Schmitt was a role model to me personally: approachable, tenacious, and deeply passionate, he rendered outstanding service to Wiesbaden. Numerous projects that he initiated and brought to fruition continue to shape our city to this day,” said Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende. “He was universally respected, actively helped shape his era, and remained deeply involved in the city’s political and social life well into his old age. Wiesbaden owes him a great deal.”
Rudi Schmitt was born on January 8, 1928, in Frankfurt am Main. After completing his studies, he worked as a teacher in Frankfurt starting in 1946. In 1947, he joined the SPD. In 1954, he was elected to the Hessian State Parliament as an SPD representative. From 1960 to 1968, Schmitt served as a city councilor in Wiesbaden, heading the departments of education and sports, and, beginning in 1966, also serving as head of the culture department. On February 1, 1968, he was elected mayor of the state capital. After stepping down from office as mayor, he served two terms in the German Bundestag through a direct mandate until 1987. In 1959, he was a member of the 3rd Federal Assembly, and in 1984, a member of the 8th Federal Assembly for the election of the Federal President. From 1967 to 1988, Rudi Schmitt served as chairman of the Wiesbaden district chapter of the German Red Cross (DRK), and from 1988 to 2001 as president of the DRK’s Hesse state chapter. Rudi Schmitt passed away on Friday, April 10, at the age of 98. According to his family, he passed away peacefully at his home.
By resolution of the City Council on May 18, 1995, Rudi Schmitt was named an honorary citizen. For his service, he was also awarded the Honorary Plaque of the State Capital of Wiesbaden and the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In accordance with the state capital’s regulations on honors and memorials, honorary citizens are automatically granted an honorary grave. Rudi Schmitt’s honorary grave is located at the Nordfriedhof. The term of the grant is 30 years.
This press release is issued by the Press Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, Schlossplatz 6, 65183 Wiesbaden, pressereferatwiesbadende Citizens with questions can contact the responsible department or office.