Halder passes away

Farewell to the president, fighter and musician

Gebhard Halder had recently kept a very low profile.

(Bild: Land Vorarlberg)

Gebhard Halder passed away on Whit Monday at the age of 81. He was President of the state parliament from 2004 to 2009. The recipient of the Golden Medal of Honor held many offices and was regarded as a critical spirit, but also as a man with handshake quality.

Gebhard Halder was challenged from an early age. His childhood and youth were marked by the loss of his father, who had not returned from the war. Born in Bregenz in 1942, he graduated from the agricultural college in Mehrerau and became a seasoned farmer who managed his parents' farm on the Fluh with great skill.

He began his political career in 1975 as a member of the Bregenz town council. In 1984 he was elected a member of the Vorarlberg state parliament and in 1986 he became regional chairman of the farmers' association.

Critical spirit
Over the years, he vehemently stood up for his profession and was also rather critical of joining the EU, as he feared disadvantages for farmers. This did not make Fluher very popular with Martin Purtscher, the governor at the time. Halder lost out twice when it came to the post of Provincial Councillor for Agriculture.

Under Governor Herbert Sausgruber, Halder was finally elected President of the Provincial Parliament in 2004. He held this office until the end of the legislative period in 2009 and then retired from politics.

Gebhard Halder died on Whit Monday at the age of 81. There is great sadness on the Fluh. The gifted clarinet player was a long-time fixture of the music association there, whose fortunes he also managed for some time.