Rolf-Dieter Elsässer receives the Hessian Order of Merit

Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke does not present such a high state award every day. On Tuesday, July 9, Rolf-Dieter Elsässer received the Hessian Order of Merit on Ribbon for his many years of voluntary work. The mayor was delighted that Elsässer wanted to receive the award in Offenbach, the city in which he performs his honorary duties, and not in Wiesbaden.

Rolf-Dieter Elsässer was born in Rumpenheim on February 14, 1952. Before the trained high-voltage electronics technician joined the TSG Bürgel handball department in 1968, he was a competitive athlete in athletics. His voluntary work began in 1983 as a youth coach and member of the board of the handball department. This was followed by further positions as a coach and as head of the handball department. But Elsässer was also professionally active on a voluntary basis. After graduating as an industrial foreman, he founded the master craftsmen's association at MAN Roland. He became an honorary member in 2008.

In 2006, when TSG Bürgel was in a difficult situation due to the condition of the old Jahnhalle, Elsässer entered the main phase of his voluntary work. He took over the chairmanship of TSG Bürgel. He also took over the chairmanship of the building committee for the construction of the new sports hall. Following the demolition of the old Jahnhalle, a modern multi-purpose hall (sports factory) was built for TSG Bürgel. Since then, TSG has grown to become one of the three largest clubs in the town.

He also thanked the honoree for his impressive and exemplary willingness to take on responsibility and risk in voluntary work and concluded: "It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be able to present you with the Hessian Order of Merit on Ribbon in recognition of your many years of voluntary work."