Dr. Bernd Fischer Retires

After 37 years and 3 months in the German Foreign Service, Consul General Dr. Bernd Fischer officially retired on June 30. In a small ceremony at the Consulate, that included colleagues and Mrs. Fischer, Deputy Consul General Stefan Biedermann presented Dr. Fischer with his last official document – a Certificate of Retirement. In the document signed by German President Joachim Gauck and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, he was acknowledged and thanked for his long years of service.

Consul General Dr. Bernd Fischer retired

Deputy Consul General Biedermann also lauded Dr. Fischer, and signaled out two things he found most impressive and hoped to emulate: Dr. Fischer’s natural talent as a communicator and speaker, both factual and entertaining at the same time, and most importantly, his long partnership with his wife, Jutta, who has been at his side to support him every step of the way during his diplomatic career and 40 years of marriage. The Fischers, Biedermann said, exemplified the perfect team spirit necessary to navigate a successful life in the foreign service .

Dr. Fischer in his farewell remarks to the colleagues he would be leaving behind, stressed the importance of their mission to continue fostering and deepening the ties and friendship between Germany and the United States. Lastly, he touched upon a matter very close to his heart and one he felt deeply committed to during his three years as Consul General. He urged his colleagues to support and help facilitate that Germany’s successful model of dual education or Skills Initiative be implemented in California.