Obituary for Robert Renzler
On September 25th, 2020 the former Secretary General of the Austrian Alpine Club, Robert Renzler, became honorary member of the EUMA. He was one of the main drivers for establishing a European umbrella organisation for mountaineering associations with the goal to represent the interests of mountaineers on a European level where finally the European mountaineering association (EUMA) was founded under his personal persistent efforts.
He always has stood in for international understanding and fostering cooperative networking. Thus, he proofed to be a pioneer and a mastermind as well, by pushing the idea of EUMA until it got realized on the 25th of November 2017 where he was present as one of the founding members. His constant efforts to improve the mutual understanding of mountaineers found its apogee in the “Tyrolian declaration” where he significantly contributed to a set of ethic principals for mountaineering. Also, his tireless commitment for nature protection issues as well as his achievements for the Austrian Alpine Club featured him distinctively.
Robert Renzler was born on 28th of February 1956 in Gries am Brenner, from where he started exploring the surrounding mountains. He studied philology and philosophy at the University of Innsbruck and started rock climbing in the age of 20. Already at is this early stage he succeeded in accomplishing several substantial ascends like the Comici (Zinne Northface), Hochfeiler North face, the Meije traverse or the Eiger North face just to name a few. More than 1000 climbs and ascends followed in his life where he also succeeded in climbing Gasherbrum II (8035 m) in the Karakorum in alpine stile without artificial oxygen.
The mountains were his passion. With deep sadness we have learnt from his abrupt death on 20th of Mai 2023, where he had a fatal climbing accident at Stafflachwand close to his residence in Gries am Brenner. All our condolences go to his family and loved ones. The mountaineering clubs society is mourning for a revolutionary thinker, a colleague and a true friend.
"Man is mortal, and when he is aware of this, this very momentum offers opportunities for a fulfilling experience of the world." (Robert Renzler, bergundsteigen, January 2021)
In memory for Robert Renzler the EUMA family.
