Mourning for BRK pioneer Gottfried Stronski: "The world is losing a lifesaver"

Created: 08/25/2022, 21:13

Founded the BRK Preparedness Ismaning: A key experience led to Gottfried Stronski becoming a lifesaver for five decades.

He has now died of cancer at the age of 67.

(Archive photo) © Robert Brouczek

Gottfried Stronski founded the BRK Preparedness Ismaning 50 years ago and has since saved countless lives.

Now he is dead.

Ismaning – "Lifesaver for life" was the title of an article about Gottfried Stronski in the Münchner Merkur newspaper at the end of May.

The dedicated lifeguard has now lost the fight for his own life, after suffering from severe cancer he died at the age of 67.

On May 8th, Stronski and his family took part in the festivities for the 50th anniversary of the BRK Preparedness Ismaning.

He was visibly weakened by his long illness, the BRK readiness reports, but he still showed little.

He wanted to celebrate the anniversary of his readiness with his comrades and the many guests.

As a founding member, Stronski had reason to celebrate himself, having been a member of the on-call team for 50 years.

His personal anniversary and his life's work in the BRK were honored with standing ovations and he received the certificate for 50 years of service.

Lifesaver from Ismaning: "Helping was his life"

It all began with a pivotal event in the spring of 1972: a ball rolled onto the street, a young girl ran after it and was run over by an approaching car.

None of those present helped.

It took forever for an ambulance to arrive.

Stronski then made a decision: I want to learn to help.

On July 1, 1972, Gottfried joined the BRK at the age of 16 and a few days later founded the Ismaning Medical Column with other comrades-in-arms.

But that's not all.

At the end of 1975, when the quarry lake became the Feringasee recreation area, Stronski joined the newly founded Unterföhring water rescue service.

From then on he was involved in both communities of the Red Cross, the stand-by and the lifeguard and, according to his own estimate, volunteered around 600 hours a year as a lifesaver.

"Helping was his life," writes the willingness to commemorate the deceased.

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The great pride: His son is following in his footsteps

He also inspired his wife Gudrun and his son Christoph to volunteer.

Both are active members in the water rescue service.

It was Stronski's pride to see his son following in his footsteps.

But he was not only a lifesaver, he was also the good soul in the on-call service, emphasizes BRK on-call manager Fried Saacke: "Regardless of whether it was technical questions or psychological stress after an assignment, Gottfried was always a very good conversation partner for all of us, who in his calm , prudent manner also provided emotional support when we came back from a demanding assignment.”

A loss to the world: much decorated - and with a lasting impression

In recognition of his achievements, Stronski received the BRK Silver Badge of Honor in 1997 and the BRK Gold Badge of Honor in 2012 for 40 years of membership.

He was awarded the Badge of Honor in silver for 25 years and in gold for 40 years of selfless, honorary commitment by the Free State of Bavaria.

As early as 1976 he received the Bronze Medal of Honor for his services during the founding period in Ismaning.

Almost a year ago, the fun-loving lifesaver was diagnosed with cancer.

Stronski fought the disease with all his might and his family supported him.

Now he is dead.

"With Gottfried Stronski, the Red Cross loses a valued comrade, an exemplary leader, a friend," said Ismaning's BRR director Saacke.

"The world is losing a deeply dedicated lifeguard."

More news from Ismaning and the district of Munich can be found here.