For us colleagues, the farewell began a day earlier: on his last day at work, Thursday 22 October 2026, we picked Günter up from home in a very special ‘retiree’s taxi’ accompanied by a large fleet of vehicles. Together with colleagues from the administration and the building yard, we then surprised him with a group breakfast. It was a morning full of warmth, lovely memories and the odd chuckle.
On Friday, the official farewell took place at the Osterwald village hall. A convivial gathering full of memories, moving moments, warm words and surprises.
After twelve years at the helm of the Neuenhaus joint municipality, it is now time to say goodbye. Twelve years in which much has been achieved, shaped and set in motion. Whether it’s the ‘Ska’ socio-cultural centre, the ‘DinkelDuo’ district sports hall or the return of local rail services with the Regiopa train – many of these projects will endure and leave a lasting mark on our joint municipality.
But alongside all these visible changes, it is above all the people, the sense of community and your tireless commitment to our joint municipality that will remain in our memories.
A very special moment of the evening was the presentation of the German Fire Service Medal of Honour in recognition of your tremendous support for the voluntary fire service. A more than well-deserved honour!
Dear Günter, we would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for twelve years of commitment, responsibility, reliability and passion for our joint municipality and its residents.
We wish you and your family all the very best for this new chapter in your life – above all, good health, many wonderful moments and time for all the things that sometimes got neglected in everyday life.
All the best for the future!
Your colleagues at the Neuenhaus Joint Municipal Authority
Many thanks to André Jeurink for the photographs
Joint municipality of Neuenhaus