It is with great sadness that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) learned of the death of Honorary President of the German Hockey Federation Wolfgang P.R. Rommel who passed away earlier this month aged 76 following a long illness.
For many years Wolfgang was actively involved in the sport of hockey – at national level as a player, President and honorary President of the German Hockey Federation (DHB). He was also a member of the FIH Executive Board for many years, in addition to his work with the FIH Rules Committee.
Wolfgang was a talented individual both on and off the field, and a hockey enthusiast - a passion that was inherited by his children, Jenny and Torsten Rommelm who also played for the German national team.
Throughout his career he received many plaudits, recognised by several awards he received including the FIH Award of Merit and in Germany, the Federal Cross of Merit.
Speaking of his death, FIH President Leandro Negre said: "With Wolfgang Rommel, hockey has lost an inspirational role model. He helped shape the DHB over several decades which saw the national teams' performance consistently improve. His passion spread much beyond Germany however, with his work for the FIH hugely important to the progress that our sport has made in recent years. On behalf of the hockey family, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to his family and close friends at this difficult time. "
