My father was my most important and most reliable advisor, who always stood up for others,” Erich Haider, Director General of Linz AG, remembers his father Erich Haider, who passed away peacefully on Friday at the age of 85.
Even as a child, Erich Haider senior had to learn what it meant to take on responsibility. As the eldest of five children, he helped his mother – a war widow – in the household and helped the younger siblings with their homework. “His younger brothers were very grateful to him, because it was only thanks to his help that they too were able to get an education back then. My father always organized everything and very quickly had to slip into the role of head of the family,” says his son.
So it’s no wonder that Erich Haider transferred his sense of responsibility for others to his job. As a trained mechanic, Haider worked for Habau for many years. “My father worked all his life. Whenever difficult projects were planned in the construction company, he was the first to be requested. Since the measurements in the building at that time were not yet technically carried out, you needed a good eye – and he had it him,” recalls son Erich. In addition to the many work orders, he always stood up for the concerns of the employees as the central works council.
Longtime Vice Mayor
Haider’s commitment went far beyond the works council. From 1985 to 2009 he took over the office of Vice Mayor in Ried/Riedmark for four legislative periods and used his knowledge and enthusiasm for the community as a building consultant and promoter of sports. He has done a lot especially for the road construction, “on the weekends he lent a hand and helped out”.
A special award was presented to him by the state of Upper Austria in 2004: he was named bearer of the Silver Badge of Honor of the Republic.
Behind every successful man there is a strong woman: this proverb also applied to Erich Haider senior. His wife Anna, who mourns the loss of her beloved Erich after more than 65 years of marriage, was always by his side. The Haider family’s Christmas “Glitzerhaus” is well-known far beyond Ried in der Riedmark. For years, the couple has decorated their house in a particularly eye-catching way at Christmas time, the lights were switched on for Erich’s birthday in November. “That was one of his great hobbies. It was fascinating for my father to see how the electrical circuits were brought together so that this magnificent glittering house could be built. He also organized guided tours for groups of children,” says son Erich with a smile.
Erich Haider also taught his three children, Erich, Renate and Günter, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, how important solid education and training is in life. “He always asked how things were going at school and what we wanted to do with our lives one day,” says his son.
It’s not just you and your wife Anna who mourn Erich Haider. His farewell will take place on Sunday in the parish church in Ried in der Riedmark.
Source: Nachrichten
