Walter Hirrlinger facts for kids

Walter Hirrlinger (born June 24, 1926, in Tübingen; died July 24, 2018, in Esslingen am Neckar) was a German politician. He was also the honorary president of a charity called Sozialverband VdK Deutschland, which helps people with social issues.

Who Was Walter Hirrlinger?

Early Life and Challenges

Walter Hirrlinger first learned about business. However, he had to join the army during World War II. On January 2, 1945, he was badly injured. This injury meant he had to use a wheelchair for five years.

Starting His Career

After the war, Walter Hirrlinger worked as a journalist. He also wrote short stories and novels. Later, he started working full-time for an organization called VdK. At that time, it was known as the VdK – Verband der Kriegsbeschädigten, Kriegshinterbliebenen und Sozialrentner Deutschlands e. V. Since 1994, it has been called Sozialverband VdK Deutschland. This group helps people who were affected by war and those who need social support.

Making a Difference in Politics

Serving His Community

Walter Hirrlinger was very active in local politics. From 1953 to 1968, he was a member of the municipal council in Esslingen am Neckar. This council helps make decisions for the city. He also served on the county council for the district of Esslingen from 1959 to 1989.

Working in State Government

In December 1960, he became a member of the state parliament of Baden-Württemberg. This is like a state-level government. He was re-elected after the state elections in 1964 and 1968. From 1966 to 1968, he led the group of politicians from the SPD party. He was also a deputy leader of the SPD in Baden-Württemberg from 1964 to 1968. He stayed a member of the state executive committee until 1975.

From 1968 to 1972, Walter Hirrlinger was the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. This meant he was in charge of jobs and social support for people in the state. He worked in a government called a "grand coalition," which means two big political parties worked together.

Helping People with the VdK

After his time as a minister, he became the leader of a company that built homes called Neue Heimat Baden-Württemberg. He held this job until 1986.

Besides that, from 1974 to 1994, he was the leader of the Regional Association Mittlerer Neckar, which is now called the Stuttgart region. He also served as the deputy leader of the VdK in Baden-Württemberg from 1972 to 1992. In 1990, he became the president of VdK Germany. He held this important role until September 30, 2008. The news magazine Der Spiegel once called Walter Hirrlinger the "chief lobbyist of German pensioners." This means he was the main person who spoke up for older people in Germany.

Awards and Helping Others

Leading Charity Groups

Since it started in 1979, Walter Hirrlinger was the president of the European Action for the Disabled. From 2000 to 2004, he was also the chairman of the board for the German Disability Council. These groups work to help people with disabilities.

Important Awards

Walter Hirrlinger received many awards for his work. Since 1978, he was a winner of the Medal of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg. He also received the Grand Cross of Merit in 1979 and the Grand Cross of Merit with Star in 1984. These are high honors from the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2004, he became the honorary chairman of the VdK Baden-Württemberg.

His Family and Later Years

Walter Hirrlinger was married to Lore Hirrlinger. They had a daughter who had a mental disability. She passed away in 2005 when she was 45 years old. Walter Hirrlinger himself died in July 2018 after a serious illness. He was 92 years old and passed away in Esslingen.