At the age of 98, Dr. Volker Merz passed away this weekend surrounded by his family. Dr. Volker Merz was the long-standing managing director of Merz Bildungswerk gGmbH, the operator of the Merz Akademie and head of the Merz Schule. He was a formative force in Stuttgart’s educational system for decades and shaped the “Merz spirit” of all the institutions of the non-profit educational organization.
Volker Merz accompanied the reestablishment of the Merz Akademie in the 1980s and supported it with advice and action. He has always followed its development with great commitment.
Markus Merz, Managing Director of Merz Bildungswerk gGmbH and Founding Rector of the Merz Akademie, University of Art, Design and Media.
He was an intelligent and inspiring interlocutor who always defended the Merz Akademie to the outside world and activated it from within with energy and a critical spirit. The university will honor his memory.
Stefan Grünenwald, Managing Director of Merz Akademie gGmbH and Maren Schmohl, Vice Rector.
The Förderkreis of the Merz Akademie have lost a founding member and a comrade-in-arms who was interested and committed to the university until the end. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
Prof. Dr. Eckart Seith, Chairman of the Förderkreis of the Merz Akademie.
Many of us were able to get to know him and there is probably no one who has forgotten an encounter with Volker. He was attentive to people, encouraged and challenged at the same time, and thus showed generations the way.
Peter Schweizer, for the Board of merz alumni e.V.
