CASTING-WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), Florida has the news of the death of former President of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar, Paul Henry Ratzel, reaches the members of the Central Hesse casting. To 1994 He was for many years active in the club and the Executive Board and returned to his retirement back in the US Army in the USA. But even after he stopped the club and has been associated for the last time on the occasion of 60. Bridge-founding anniversary year 2010 in the university town guests. During the ceremony at the new City Hall, he gave an impassioned speech, which was rewarded with much applause. He was in his lifetime, an ardent supporter of German-American friendship. In addition, he was an optimistic, fun-loving and helpful person, with which you closed like friendship, recalls bridge member Rolf Eisenmenger. This made it easy for him, To be a bridge builder between Germany and the US.

Ratzel wurde am 17. March 1931 born in Münster-Handorf, visited Colmar in the school where she learned English. As a porter in the Nassauer Hof in Wiesbaden, he met an American guest, the recruited him for the construction of the US Interstate-highway system. 1954 Ratzel was an American citizen, but never forgot his roots in Germany. He came over the US Army in Korea, Vietnam and Guam back to his old home. In Giessen Army Depot, he was transport officer, later Logistics Director and supported the bridge activities with its possibilities active. After his return to the US he was there with his family respected member of the community of Destin / Florida. Whenever possible, he visited his old home and celebrated with his friends in Giessen, will not forget him. On Thursday, the 26. February 2015 He was buried in the US.