The German Shakespeare Society has lost a great personality in Prof. Dr Ulrich Suerbaum. In 1963, he was the first full professor to be appointed to the Chair of English Philology at the Ruhr University Bochum, a position he held until his retirement. He had a lasting influence on the fortunes of the German Shakespeare Society for more than two decades, first as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the German Shakespeare Society West and finally as President from 1987 until the merger of the societies in West and East in 1993. For his services to Bochum as a Shakespeare city, he was awarded the Ring of Honour of the City of Bochum by the Lord Mayor in 1999.
The German Shakespeare Society will always honour his memory. Our sympathy goes out to his relatives.
On behalf of all members and the Board of Directors
The President of the German Shakespeare Society
Prof. Dr Claudia Olk