Personalities
Beckum personalities
Rudolf Dunker, Dr Max Hagedorn and Heinrich-Gerhard Bücker
… waren die drei letzten einer ganzen Reihe von Beckumer Ehrenbürgern. Sie haben sich auf besondere Weise um Beckum verdient gemacht. Das Foto (rechts) entstand beim Empfang der Stadt Beckum aus Anlass des 90. Geburtstags von Dr. Max Hagedorn.
Rudolf Dunker
born 13.05.1916, died 29.09.2008
Als Kampfkommandant der deutschen Wehrmacht in Beckum hatte der damals 28-Jährige den Auftrag, die Stadt Beckum bis zum letzten Mann zu verteidigen. So begann er am Karfreitag, dem 30. März, den Widerstand gegen die alliierten Streitkräfte vorzubereiten.
It was mainly thanks to Rudolf Dunker's responsible and courageous actions that the town of Beckum was peacefully handed over to the US forces on 1 April 1945.
On Holy Saturday, the Americans peacefully captured the town of Ahlen and set up their armoured vehicles and artillery pieces on the eastern edge of the town in order to advance to Beckum on Easter Sunday.
That evening, Rudolf Dunker made a decision that he himself later said was the most difficult of his life. In view of the hopeless military situation, which would have resulted in the destruction of the town of Beckum and the death of countless people, he decided to refuse soldierly obedience and surrender the town of Beckum without a fight.
This decision of conscience is to be valued all the more highly because he was aware that he could have been sentenced to death for his actions. So it also came to an indictment before a summary court martial, but fortunate circumstances prevented a conviction.
For his courageous and selfless actions for the benefit of the city of Beckum, he was made an honorary citizen in 1995.
Heinrich-Gerhard Bücker
born 05.03.1922, died 11.08.2008
Heinrich-Gerhard Bücker has created countless important works in the many decades of his artistic career and has thus gained great recognition in Germany and internationally. In this way, he has also made his hometown with the district of Vellern known far beyond the borders of Europe.
His work is characterised by the biblical-Christian world of symbols. For him, religion was the link between past and present, between "time and eternity", as the title of his last major exhibition in 2006 read. Thus, the focus of his work was in the field of sacred art. Since the 1950s, he has designed numerous church interiors in his unmistakable style. With his works, he set trend-setting accents for the emphasis of original styles by means of contemporary art.
His concern to create statements through the choice of form, colours and materials is always apparent. One of the highlights of his work was the exhibition of the drawings of his Bible volume "Alpha-Adam-Atom-Omega" in the Vatican Library in 1983/84. He was the first living artist to be allowed to exhibit there.
In addition to sacred art, he also created works of a profane character such as fountains and monuments. There are also numerous works of art by him in his home town of Beckum, to which he always showed great attachment, both in the town's churches and in public spaces. His research on the site of the Varus Battle has impressed many historians.
He has received many prizes and honours for his outstanding artistic work. Among others, he was awarded the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1983. In 1992 he was made an honorary citizen of the city of Beckum.
Dr Max Hagedorn
born 26.04.1904, died 24.12.1998
Dr. Max Hagedorn took over the office of mayor in January 1946 in an extremely difficult time. His untiring commitment to the common good earned him great recognition and he enjoyed the special trust of the people. High personal commitment, competence and his friendly and modest manner distinguished him during his 24 years as mayor.
Unter dem Vorsitz von Dr. Max Hagedorn wurden im Rat der Stadt Beckum entscheidende Schwerpunkte für die positive Entwicklung der Stadt nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg gesetzt. So engagierte er sich besonders für die Verbesserung der Straßenverhältnisse und für die Schaffung von dringend benötigtem Wohnraum für die vielen Heimatvertriebenen, Flüchtlinge und Evakuierte. Unter seiner Regie wurden die Erschließungsmaßnahmen im Stadtgebiet und die Aufstellung des ersten Flächennutzungsplanes im Jahr 1958 in die Wege geleitet. Zudem setzte er sich in verschiedenen überregionalen Gremien vorbildlich für das Wohl der Allgemeinheit ein.
Dr. Max Hagedorn received high recognition for his decades of service. In 1971, the Federal President awarded him the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class. The city of Beckum awarded him honorary citizenship on 24 March 1974, thanking him for his beneficial work for his home town.
Sister Maria Blanda, née Anita Bußmann
born 20.04.1898 in Buenos Aires, died 26.07.1980
Schwester Blanda hat 45 Jahre lang hilfsbedürftige Kinder aus Beckum, dem Kreis Warendorf und darüber hinaus in segensreicher und oft selbstaufopfernder Weise betreut und großgezogen.
Particularly great difficulties had to be overcome in the post-war period. Despite the most adverse circumstances, Sister Blanda cared for the children who had become parentless and partly homeless due to the turmoil of war, and who were accommodated in several building complexes of the former Vinzenzhaus, and gave them a new home. She was like a mother to these children, she gave them a home, brought them up with love and care and in this way successfully prepared them for their later path in life.
An important step in their work was the move of the children's home in 1953 to the newly built rooms on Paterweg.
The council of the town of Beckum unanimously conferred honorary citizenship on Sister Blanda at the festive meeting on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the town on 26 March 1974.
Heinrich Haverkemper
born 19.02.1901, died 20.11.1989
Der gelernte Bäcker und Konditor und spätere Zementarbeiter Heinrich Haverkemper trat bereits 1922 in die SPD ein und gehörte ihr mehr als 50 Jahre an. Nach dem Krieg baute er als Vorsitzender des SPD-Ortsvereins die Partei wieder auf. 1945 wurde er in den Rat der Stadt Beckum berufen, wo er 19 Jahre tätig war, viele Jahre davon als Fraktionsvorsitzender der SPD. Auch im Kreistag war er zehn Jahre lang tätig.
He earned special merits as chairman of the Finance and Housing Commission. This task was particularly demanding in the difficult post-war years. Heinrich Haverkemper always had an open ear for the needs and concerns of those affected, such as refugees, and helped wherever he could.
Due to his many years of local political activity and his selfless commitment to the town of Beckum, he was awarded honorary citizenship on 26 March 1974.
Dr.-Ing. Curt Prüssing
born 26.03.1896, died 02.04.1988
Dr. Prüssing studierte nach dem Abitur zunächst Chemie an der Universität München und begann seine Laufbahn 1922 als wissenschaftlicher Assistent am Zementtechnologischen Institut der Technischen Hochschule Charlottenburg. Im selben Jahr heiratete er Ilse Polysius, die Tochter von Max Polysius aus Dessau.
1924 wechselte Dr. Prüssing zur Portland-Hemmoor AG und wurde 1936 in den Vorstand berufen. Von 1936 bis 1945 war er u. a. Vorsitzender des „Vereins Deutscher Portland-Zementfabrikanten" in Berlin.
In 1946, Dr Prüssing founded Westpol GmbH under difficult conditions. From here he established relations with the former customers of Dessau-based Polysius AG. In just a few years, together with proven employees from Dessau, he succeeded in restoring the company, which had since been renamed Polysius GmbH, to a global reputation.
In 1962, Dr Prüssing decided to relinquish the management of the company and take over the chairmanship of the supervisory board, which he held until 1970. In this capacity, too, he made a major contribution to the development of Polysius into one of the largest engineering companies in Europe.
For his services to the economic development of the municipality of Neubeckum, Dr. Prüssing was awarded honorary citizenship by resolution of the municipal council in 1961.
Clemens Sprenker
born 26.01.1883, died 14.01.1968
Clemens Sprenker was mayor of the parish of Beckum from 1946 to 1961 and also mayor of the Beckum district from March 1946.
The council of the parish of Beckum decided on 28 April 1961 to make him an honorary citizen for his services to the parish of Beckum.
Alfred Moll
For 42 years, Alfred Moll, like his father Gustav before him, had rendered outstanding services to the development of Neubeckum as a member of the council.
He was appointed honorary citizen by the council of the municipality of Neubeckum on 10 December 1952.
Carl Fehling
born 07.04.1860 in Warburg, died 09.07.1933
Fehling wurde am 14.06.1899 vom Rat der Stadt Beckum zum Bürgermeister gewählt. Zuvor war er Bürgermeister in Obermarsberg im Sauerland gewesen.
The capable administrative official pushed ahead with the consistent municipal development and the adaptation to the economic, especially the industrial development of the district town.
In seiner 27-jährigen Amtszeit wurde in Beckum das Amtsgericht eröffnet, das Finanzamt für den Kreis eingerichtet, der Schlachthof gebaut, mit der Kanalisation begonnen, die erste Badeanstalt geschaffen, die Bevölkerung mit Strom und Wasser versorgt, das Gymnasium gegründet und das Straßenbauprogramm begonnen.
His work was crowned with the celebrations for the 700th anniversary of the town's charter in 1924.
After his retirement, he was made an honorary citizen on 11.10.1926.
Amtmann A. D. Theodor Anton Brüning
born 21.05.1822, died 30.03.1911
Theodor Brüning distinguished himself during the Kulturkampf through his courageous stand for the church, was sentenced to prison for a newspaper article and had to take his leave as Amtmann.
He was made an honorary citizen on 19.02.1906 "in appreciation of his faithful service in the interest of the city".
Medical Councillor Dr. med. Ferdinand Anton Heyne
died 1906
Dr Heyne had gained a special reputation as a doctor in his commitment to public hygiene and was a member of the magistrate for many years.
On his retirement from the magistrate's office, he was awarded honorary citizenship on 13.06.1897.
Two local politicians who have left their mark on Beckum
The former mayors Gerhard Gertheinrich and Aloys Gödde received the honorary title of "Honorary Mayor" at a special session of the Council on 14 June 1995 in appreciation of their many years of service as mayors.
Gerhard Gertheinrich
born 25 October 1930, died 1 May 1996
He was committed to the common good in an exemplary manner for decades, always ensured a balance across all party lines and was extraordinarily popular with the citizens "as a mayor to touch". Gerhard Gertheinrich joined the SPD in 1961 and in the same year was elected to the representation of the then parish of Beckum, where he served until 1969, from 1962 as deputy mayor. Subsequently, interrupted by the period from 1979 to 1984, he was a member of the Beckum town council until 1995.
Gerhard Gertheinrich was mayor of the city of Beckum for 10 years from 1984 to 1994. He exercised this responsible office with foresight, great commitment and the ability to compromise across all party lines. At the same time he always remained a "man of the people" and thus approachable for everyone.
In addition, he also represented the town of Beckum on the administrative board of the Sparkasse Beckum-Wadersloh and on the supervisory board of the Beckumer Wohnungsgesellschaft.
His word also carried weight in the district of Warendorf. From 1979 to 1984 and then again since 1989, he was a member of the district council, which elected him first deputy district administrator in November 1994. He held this office until his sudden death in 1996.
His professional career was marked by a successful effort to achieve a fair balance between the interests of the employees and the company. As chairman of the works council, general works council and group works council as well as deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Dyckerhoff AG, he stood up for his colleagues and the company in equal measure as a member of the Chemical, Paper and Ceramics Industrial Union. Gerhard Gertheinrich's membership in the Workers' Welfare Association was also important.
In recognition of his great services to the common good, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon by the Federal President on 23 December 1995.
Aloys Gödde
geboren 29. März 1933, gestorben 25. April 2013
Aloys Gödde geht als letzter Bürgermeister der Gemeinde Neubeckum in die Stadtgeschichte ein. Im jungen Alter von knapp 30 Jahren wurde er zum Bürgermeister ernannt. Damit war er damals der jüngste Bürgermeister in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Es folgten 11 ereignisreiche Jahre, in denen er die Geschicke Neubeckums im besten Sinne leitete. So entstanden in dieser Zeit große Baugebiete und die Bevölkerung wuchs enorm. Die Roncallischule und das Kopernikus-Gymnasium wurden gebaut. Der Gebäudekomplex aus Stadtbücherei, Freizeithaus und Seniorentagesstätte bereicherte das soziale Leben in der Gemeinde und der Bau der Tennisanlage das Sportangebot.
Above all, however, Aloys Gödde was regarded as a mayor who was close to the people, who had an open ear for the concerns and needs of the citizens and helped many in difficult situations.
With the municipal reorganisation in 1975, Neubeckum was incorporated. Aloys Gödde had resisted this for a long time. Nevertheless, from 1975 onwards he contributed in many ways to Beckum and Neubeckum setting out to grow together.
In the transitional phase from January to May 1975, he was a commissioner of the council of the city of Beckum. In the first council of the new city of Beckum he was elected deputy mayor and held this office with one interruption for 9 years.
Until the end of his municipal political career in 1994, he was involved in the planning and transport committee and the Neubeckum district committee. He was also a member of the district council and the supervisory board of the Volksbank.
In 1994, he received the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon for his outstanding commitment.
Israelischer Friedensaktivist mit Beckumer Wurzeln
Uri Avnery
geboren 10. September 1923, gestorben 20. August 2018
Uri Avnery wurde als Helmut Ostermann in Beckum im Haus an der Alleestraße 17 geboren und lebte bis 1925 in der Püttstadt. Er emigrierte 1933 mit seiner Familie nach Palästina. Der bekannte Friedensaktivist wurde für sein Engagement um die Aussöhnung zwischen Israelis und Palästinensern mehrfach ausgezeichnet, unter anderem 1997 mit dem Aachener Friedenspreis, 2001 mit dem Alternativen Nobelpreis, 2002 mit dem Carl-von-Ossietzky-Preis und 2003 mit dem Lew-Kopelew-Preis.
Uri Avnery was publisher and editor-in-chief of the news magazine Haolam Haseh from 1950 to 1990. Between 1965 and 1981, he was a member of the Knesset for a total of about 10 years. In 1975 he was a founding member of the Israeli Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, and in 1993 he was one of the founding members of Gush Shalom, the Israeli Peace Bloc.
His grandfather Johannes Ostermann had been a teacher in the Jewish community since 1878. In addition, he held the sermons in the Beckum synagogue, as the small Jewish community in Beckum could not afford its own rabbi. The father, Alfred Ostermann, ran a small banking business in Beckum, which, however, faced increasing problems in the early years of the National Socialist movement. So the Ostermann family moved from Beckum to Hanover as early as 1925, where Helmut Ostermann also went to school. One of his classmates at the grammar school was the long-time editor of the "Spiegel" Rudolf Augstein.
The family had already sold the house at Alleestraße 17 to the Jewish doctor Dr. Walter Kronenberg before moving to Hanover.
Uri Avnery has been a guest in his native town of Beckum several times. For example, in 1995 on the occasion of the award of honorary citizenship to Rudolf Dunker and in 2005 when he presented his book "In den Feldern der Philister" (In the Fields of the Philistines) at a reading.