ADVERTISING
A life dedicated to Darmstadt and its people
Rainer Kumme celebrates his 80th birthday on February 3rd – a man who has dedicated himself to the city's community like few others. Whether through volunteer work, politics, sports, or culture: almost every resident of Darmstadt has likely met him at some point.
Born in Dresden in 1945, Kumme moved to Darmstadt that same year, where he has lived ever since. He worked for almost 46 years for Volksbank Darmstadt-Südhessen eG (now Volksbank Darmstadt Mainz eG). However, it is above all his tireless commitment to community life in Darmstadt that continues to define him.
Engagement in the city and society
For decades, Kumme performed a wide range of public duties. He served as an election worker , mostly as presiding officer. For just as long, he was active in the citizens' committee for town twinning and represented the city as a lay judge at the district and regional courts. Since 2015, he has been advocating senior citizens in Darmstadt.
Diverse involvement in club life
His name is also inextricably linked to Darmstadt in the realm of clubs and associations. For over 50 years, he shaped the carnival society Narrhalla 1846 Darmstadt e.V. ; the society now honors him as its honorary president. Since 2005, he has been involved with the Friends of Mathildenhöhe , which is dedicated to preserving Darmstadt's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
His heart also beats for sports. For 58 years he was a board member of TG 75 Darmstadt , serving in various roles including youth coordinator, secretary, and second chairman. He has also been active as a football referee since 1964 and served for ten years as a trustee of the Darmstadt Football Referees' Foundation.
For over six decades, he was also active in the Darmstadt Philatelic Society , which he led for many years and for which he now serves as honorary president. He has also been involved in the Darmstadt-Eberstadt Local Business Association for over 50 years.
Merits and honors
Rainer Kumme has received numerous honors for his decades of service. He was awarded the Medal of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2009), the Honorary Certificate of the State of Hesse (1994), as well as the Sports Plaque and Friendship Plaque of the City of Darmstadt .
His motto in life: Serving rather than taking – inspired by Albert Schweitzer and John F. Kennedy. Even at 80, he remains active. Darmstadt is fortunate to have someone like Rainer Kumme in its community.
RED / Photo: Ralf Hellriegel
