Father of two

Soccer coach suddenly torn from life

Soccer coach Bernd Himmelbauer died unexpectedly.(Bild: zVg)

The 43-year-old popular soccer coach of Union Unterweißenbach fell over while jogging. He leaves behind two children aged nine and 14. His sports club is now organizing a courageous fundraising campaign for the bereaved family.

It was the last Saturday in January when Bernd Himmelbauer suddenly fell over while jogging. The rescue chain worked perfectly, but all help came too late for the family man and soccer coach of Union Unterweißenwach: he died at the age of just 43. His good friend and colleague at the sports club, Hubert Nöt-staller, is still stunned weeks later: "Bernd was amazing as a person, in terms of character, and he was also a sporting figurehead. People treated him with respect."

Everything Bernd tackled had a solid basis. He was totally helpful. People treated him with respect.

Hubert Nötstaller, Obmann-Stv.

"Boys pursue goals for his sake too"
The passionate sportsman always took responsibility for the community. For example: "When cycling, he always had the tools with him and rode right at the back. It was important to him that everyone could ride," says Nötstaller, deputy chairman of the Union Unterweißenbach and deputy mayor of the small Mühlviertel community.

Bernd Himmelbauer trained as a mechanical engineer, attended a main ski school and most recently worked as a co-trainer for adults and as a junior coach for 13 and 14-year-olds. "The boys are also pursuing their sporting goals for his sake," says Nötstaller about the youth team.

Anyone who would like to help the family can make a donation to the Union Unterweißenbach "Donation account Soi and Fabio" with IBAN AT67 2033 1000 0220 9070.

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Himmelbauer is survived by his wife and two children, daughter Soi (9) and son Fabio (14). The sports club is now organizing a fundraising campaign together with the widow's employer for the family, who suddenly have to carry on without their father. "It's just a small thing that we can do," says Deputy Chairman Nötstaller. "But the family feels the support."