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{{Short description|German businessman and patron of the arts (1942–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Claus Wisser
| name = Claus Wisser
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|06|30|df=y}}
| image = Claus Wisser (1a).jpg
| alt = Bearded man with spectacles, bald with short white beard, and a half smile.
| birth_place = [[Wiesbaden]], [[Hesse]], Germany
| death_date =
| caption = Wisser, {{circa|2012}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|06|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Wiesbaden]], [[Nazi Germany|German Reich]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|10|04|1942|06|30|df=y}}
| death_place =
| death_place =
| education = [[Goethe University Frankfurt]]
| education = [[Goethe University Frankfurt]]
| occupation = {{plainlist|
| occupation = {{hlist| Businessman |philanthropist }}
| organization = {{ubl| Wisag | [[Rheingau Musik Festival]] }}
* Entrepreneur
| awards = {{ubl| Georg August Zinn Medal | [[Hessian Order of Merit]] | [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]] }}
* [[Patronage|Patron]] of music and art
}}
}}
| organization = {{plainlist|
* Wisag
* [[Rheingau Musik Festival]]
}}
| awards = Georg August Zinn Medal
}}
'''Claus Wisser''' (born 30 June 1942) is a German entrepreneur and a [[Patronage|patron]] of music and the arts. He was head of the service company Wisag which he founded, and has been chairman of its supervisory board from 2011. He is also known for being a founding member of the [[Rheingau Musik Festival]], and chairman of its supporting association. He was twice a member of the [[Federal Convention (Germany)|Federal Convention]] to elect the German President.


'''Claus Friedrich Wisser'''<ref name="Rhein" /> (30 June 1942 – 4 October 2023) was a German businessman and philanthropist, a [[Patronage|patron]] of music and the arts. He was head of the service company Wisag which he founded, and was chairman of its supervisory board since 2011, and honorary chairman of that board from 2022.
== Career ==
Wisser was born in [[Wiesbaden]], the son of a shopkeeper. He attended the {{ill|Friedrich List School, Wiesbaden|de|Friedrich-List-Schule (Wiesbaden)|lt=Friedrich List School}}.<ref name="FLS" /> When he was 14, his father had to close the shop, and the boy took several jobs during his time at the [[Gymnasium (Germany)|gymnasium]]. While still at school, he joined the [[SPD]]. He studied [[business administration]] at the [[Goethe University Frankfurt|University of Frankfurt]], and took part in the beginning ''Studentenrevolte'', opposing the [[German Emergency Acts]].<ref name="Göpfert" /> He heard [[Carlo Schmid (German politician)|Carlo Schmid]] in public lectures at the university.<ref name="FAZ" />


Wisser is also known as a founding member of the [[Rheingau Musik Festival]], and chairman of its supporting association. He supported the [[Goethe University Frankfurt]] and museums, and founded a charity for children. He was twice a member of the [[Federal Convention (Germany)|Federal Convention]] to elect the German president.
In 1965, Wisser founded a company for the cleaning of office buildings, dropping out of the university. He led it from small beginnings to {{ill|Wisag|de}}, a [[Concern (business)|concern]] for cleaning, maintenance of parks, security, and catering, among others.<ref name="Göpfert" /> He describes the services as for industry, administration, airlines, and airports, especially the traffic on the ground for the latter.<ref name="FAZ" /> In 2011, he passed on his position as chairman of the board to his son Michael Wisser,<ref name="Göpfert" /> and has been chairman of the supervisory board since.<ref name="Goethe-Uni" />


== Life and career ==
In 1987 he was one of the founding members of the [[Rheingau Musik Festival]],<ref name="Göpfert" /> together with [[Michael Herrmann]], [[Tatiana von Metternich-Winneburg]], Michael Bolenius, Hans-Clemens Lucht, and Ulrich Rosin.<ref name="Blasmusik" /> He succeeded [[Walter Fink]] as chairman of the Rheingau Musik Festival Förderverein, an association to support the festival.<ref name="RMF Förderverein" /><ref name="Rheingau-Echo" /> Honoring his 60th birthday on 30 June 2002, the festival staged a performance of Carl Orff's {{lang|la|[[Carmina Burana (Orff)|Carmina Burana]]}} at [[Eberbach Abbey]], with soloists [[Annette Dasch]], [[Gert Henning-Jensen]], and [[Željko Lučić]], the choir [[Orfeón Donostiarra]], and the [[hr-Sinfonieorchester]] conducted by [[Hugh Wolff]], which was recorded.<ref name="Carmina" /> Wisser has also sponsored the [[Städel]] museum and the [[Caricatura Museum Frankfurt]], and the University of Frankfurt.<ref name="Plakette" />
Claus Wisser was born on 30 June 1942<ref name="Giersberg" /> in [[Wiesbaden]], the son of a shopkeeper. He attended the {{ill|Friedrich List School, Wiesbaden|de|Friedrich-List-Schule (Wiesbaden)|lt=Friedrich List School}},<ref name="FLS" /> and helped in the family shop from age 10. When he was age 14, his father had to close the shop, and young Claus took on several jobs during his time at the [[Gymnasium (Germany)|gymnasium]].<ref name="Göpfert" /> While still at school, he joined the [[SPD]].<ref name="SPD Hessen-Süd" /> He studied [[business administration]] at the [[Goethe University Frankfurt|University of Frankfurt]], and took part in the first [[West German student movement|students' revolt]], opposing the [[German Emergency Acts]].<ref name="Göpfert" /> He heard [[Carlo Schmid (German politician)|Carlo Schmid]] in public lectures at the university.<ref name="FAZ" />

In 1965, Wisser founded a company for the cleaning of office buildings; he posted an advertisement seeking a used working typewriter as a gift.<ref name="Göpfert" /> He began the company as its only employee, equipped with a broom, bucket, and the typewriter,<ref name="Produktion" /> dropping out of university soon after.<ref name="Göpfert" /> The company grew to become {{ill|Wisag|de}}, a business focused on cleaning, maintenance of parks, security, and catering, among others,<ref name="Göpfert" /> with 50,000 employees.<ref name="Produktion" /> A short-lived venture into textiles was a failure, which left Wisser with a large amount of debt.<ref name="Riebsamen 2023" /> He then focused again on providing services for industry, administration, airlines, and airports, especially the ground traffic for the latter.<ref name="FAZ" /><ref name="Riebsamen 2023" /> He stepped away from the company's operations during the 1990s, passing them on to executives including his son Michael Wisser, who became chairman of the company in 2007.<ref name="Produktion" /> Claus Wisser became chairman of the supervisory board, and became honorary chairman of the supervisory board from 2022.<ref name="Produktion" />

In 1987, Wisser was one of the founding members of the [[Rheingau Musik Festival]],<ref name="Göpfert" /> together with [[Michael Herrmann]], [[Tatiana von Metternich-Winneburg]], Michael Bolenius, Hans-Clemens Lucht, and Ulrich Rosin, with Wisser serving as the treasurer.<ref name="RMF" /><ref name="Blasmusik" /> He succeeded [[Walter Fink]] as chairman of the Rheingau Musik Festival Förderverein, an association supporting the festival.<ref name="RMF" /><ref name="Rheingau-Echo" /> In honor of his 60th birthday on 30 June 2002, the festival staged a performance of Carl Orff's {{lang|la|[[Carmina Burana (Orff)|Carmina Burana]]}} at [[Eberbach Abbey]], with soloists [[Annette Dasch]], [[Gert Henning-Jensen]], and [[Željko Lučić]], the choir [[Orfeón Donostiarra]], and the [[hr-Sinfonieorchester]] conducted by [[Hugh Wolff]], which was recorded.<ref name="Carmina" />

[[File:Neues Kloster Johannisberg.JPG|thumb|Neues Kloster Johannisberg, 2009]]
Wisser also sponsored the [[Städel]] museum and the [[Caricatura Museum Frankfurt]],<ref name="Göpfert 2019" /><ref name="Plakette" /> his former school,<ref name="FLS" /> and the University of Frankfurt.<ref name="Plakette" /><ref name="Goethe-Uni" /> He began a project to transform the former {{ill|Neues Kloster Johannisberg|de}} into a hotel and event venue.<ref name="Riebsamen" /><ref name="Die Welt" /><ref name="Bock" /> In 2015, celebrating 50 years of Wisag, he founded together with his son the KiWIS foundation, a charity for children.<ref name="Produktion" />


Wisser was a member of the [[Federal Convention (Germany)|Federal Convention]] for the election of the German [[President of Germany|Bundespräsident]], in 1999 and in 2017.<ref name="FNP" /><ref name="Hanack" />
Wisser was a member of the [[Federal Convention (Germany)|Federal Convention]] for the election of the German [[President of Germany|Bundespräsident]], in 1999 and in 2017.<ref name="FNP" /><ref name="Hanack" />

Wisser died of cancer on 4 October 2023, at the age of 81.<ref name="Riebsamen 2023" /><ref name="Produktion" />

[[Boris Rhein]], Minister-President of Hesse, said: "In Claus Wisser verlieren wir eine Persönlichkeit, die sich vollends in den Dienst der Gesellschaft gestellt hat. Auf den Feldern Bildung, Kunst und Kultur hat er mit viel Herzblut gewirkt. Claus Wisser hatte immer ein offenes Ohr für Pläne und Projekte, die dem Wohl der Bürgerinnen und Bürger dienen. Er war stets bereit, nicht nur mit Rat und Tat zu helfen, sondern auch mit Ideen zur finanziellen Unterstützung." (In Claus Wisser, we are losing a personality who placed himself entirely at the service of society. He put his heart and soul into the fields of education, art and culture. Claus Wisser always had an open ear for plans and projects that served the welfare of the citizens. He was always ready to help not only with advice and action, but also with ideas for financial support).<ref name="Rhein" />


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
Wisser received awards for his exceptional social engagement and support of education, music, and the arts.<ref name="Produktion" />
* 2005: {{ill|Georg August Zinn Medal|de|Georg-August-Zinn-Medaille}}<ref name="GAZ medal" />
* 2005: {{ill|Georg August Zinn Medal|de|Georg-August-Zinn-Medaille}}<ref name="Rhein" /><ref name="GAZ medal" />
* 2010: [[Hessian Order of Merit]]<ref name="Rhein" /><ref name="Produktion" />
* 2013: {{ill|Ehrenplakette der Stadt Frankfurt am Main|de}}<ref name="Plakette" />
* 2013: {{ill|Ehrenplakette der Stadt Frankfurt am Main|de}}<ref name="Plakette" />
* 2015: ULI Leadership Award<ref name="ULI" />
* 2015: ULI Leadership Award<ref name="ULI" />
* 2021: Honorary citizen of the [[Goethe University]]<ref name="Aktuelles aus der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt 2023 y138">{{cite web | title=Stifter und Ehrenbürger verstorben: Goethe-Universität trauert um Claus Wisser | website=Aktuelles aus der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt | date=5 October 2023 | url=https://aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de/gesellschaft/stifter-und-ehrenbuerger-verstorben-goethe-universitaet-trauert-um-claus-wisser/ | language=de | access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>
* 2022: Officer's Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]<ref name="Rhein" /><ref name="Staatskanzlei" /><ref name="Produktion" />


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|20em
{{Reflist
| refs =
| refs =

<ref name="Bock">{{cite news
| last = Bock
| first = Oliver
| title = Kloster Johannisberg: Die Sanierung geht voran
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
| date = 13 September 2022
| url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/region-und-hessen/kloster-johannisberg-die-sanierung-geht-voran-18311310.html
| language = de
| access-date = 6 October 2023
}}</ref>

<ref name="Giersberg">{{cite news
| last = Giersberg
| first = Georg
| title = Claus Wisser: Die Krise als Aufputschmittel
| url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/karriere-hochschule/mein-weg/claus-wisser-die-krise-als-aufputschmittel-1463634-p2.html
| access-date = 5 October 2023
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
| date = 10 September 2007
| language = de
}}</ref>


<ref name="Göpfert">{{cite news
<ref name="Göpfert">{{cite news
Line 43: Line 78:
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| date = 30 June 2017
| date = 30 June 2017
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 18 June 2018
| access-date = 18 June 2018
}}</ref>

<ref name = "Göpfert 2019">{{cite web
| last = Göpfert
| first = Claus-Jürgen
| title = Caricatura Frankfurt: Claus Wisser und Achim Frenz im Interview
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| date = 3 July 2019
| url = https://www.fr.de/frankfurt/caricatura-frankfurt-claus-wisser-achim-frenz-interview-12757949.html
| language = de
| access-date = 6 October 2023
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 54: Line 100:
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| date = 7 March 2013
| date = 7 March 2013
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 19 June 2018
| access-date = 19 June 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 65: Line 111:
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Rundschau]]
| date = 27 November 2016
| date = 27 November 2016
| language = de
| accessdate = 30 June 2018
| access-date = 30 June 2018
}}</ref>

<ref name="Riebsamen">{{cite news
| last = Riebsamen
| first = Hans
| url = https://zeitung.faz.net/faz/rhein-main/2022-06-30/4ea6c64261dbda95b178fa8c6d899d72?GEPC=s9
| title = Chronisch unternehmenslustig
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
| date = 30 June 2022
| language = de
| access-date = 30 June 2022
}}</ref>

<ref name="Riebsamen 2023">{{cite news
| last = Riebsamen
| first = Hans
| url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/wirtschaft/wisag-gruender-claus-wisser-ist-tot-ein-leidenschaftlicher-unternehmer-19221226.html
| title = Vom Putzmann zum Millionär – und zwischendrin eine Pleite
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
| date = 5 October 2023
| language = de
| access-date = 5 October 2023
}}</ref>

<ref name="Rhein">{{cite news
| last = Rhein
| first = Boris
| author-link = Boris Rhein
| url = https://staatskanzlei.hessen.de/presse/zum-tod-von-claus-friedrich-wisser
| title = Zum Tod von Claus Friedrich Wisser
| type = Press release
| publisher = [[Minister-President of Hesse]]
| date = 5 October 2023
| language = de
| access-date = 7 October 2023
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 76: Line 158:
| publisher = Blasmusik
| publisher = Blasmusik
| date = 4 December 2007
| date = 4 December 2007
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 5 August 2010
| access-date = 5 August 2010
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 83: Line 165:
| title = Carmina Burana : Jubiläumskonzert: 15 Jahre Rheingau Musik Festival, 60 Jahre Claus Wisser ; Kloster Eberbach 2002 ; live recording
| title = Carmina Burana : Jubiläumskonzert: 15 Jahre Rheingau Musik Festival, 60 Jahre Claus Wisser ; Kloster Eberbach 2002 ; live recording
| date = 2002
| date = 2002
|oclc = 174868584}}</ref>
| oclc = 174868584}}</ref>


<ref name="FAZ">{{cite news
<ref name="FAZ">{{cite news
| url = http://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/wirtschaft/im-gespraech-wisag-gruender-claus-wisser-ich-musste-arbeiten-wie-ein-tier-1580220.html?printPagedArticle=true#pageIndex_0
| url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/wirtschaft/im-gespraech-wisag-gruender-claus-wisser-ich-musste-arbeiten-wie-ein-tier-1580220.html?printPagedArticle=true#pageIndex_0
| title = Im Gespräch: Wisag-Gründer Claus Wisser: "Ich musste arbeiten wie ein Tier"
| title = Im Gespräch: Wisag-Gründer Claus Wisser: "Ich musste arbeiten wie ein Tier"
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
| date = 1 February 2011
| date = 1 February 2011
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 19 June 2018
| access-date = 19 June 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 98: Line 180:
| title = Der Weg zurück zur Gründung der Schule (Chronik von 2015 bis 1902)
| title = Der Weg zurück zur Gründung der Schule (Chronik von 2015 bis 1902)
| website = Friedrich List School, Wiesbaden
| website = Friedrich List School, Wiesbaden
| year = 2015
| date = 2015
| language = de
| accessdate = 30 June 2018
| access-date = 30 June 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 107: Line 190:
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Neue Presse]]
| newspaper = [[Frankfurter Neue Presse]]
| date = 13 February 2017
| date = 13 February 2017
| language = de
| accessdate = 30 June 2018
| access-date = 30 June 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 115: Line 199:
| publisher = [[State of Hesse]]
| publisher = [[State of Hesse]]
| date =
| date =
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 19 June 2018
| access-date = 19 June 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213814/https://staatskanzlei.hessen.de/sites/default/files/media/staatskanzlei/preistraeger_der_georg_august_zinn-medaille.pdf
| archive-date = 19 June 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


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| publisher = [[Goethe University Frankfurt|University of Frankfurt]]
| publisher = [[Goethe University Frankfurt|University of Frankfurt]]
| date =
| date =
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 18 June 2018
| access-date = 18 June 2018
}}</ref>

<ref name="Produktion">{{cite news
| title = Wisag-Gründer Claus Wisser ist gestorben
| url = https://www.produktion.de/wirtschaft/wisag-gruender-claus-wisser-ist-gestorben-800.html
| website = produktion.de
| date = 5 October 2023
| language = de
| access-date = 5 October 2023
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 133: Line 228:
| newspaper = Rheingau-Echo
| newspaper = Rheingau-Echo
| date = 1 February 2018
| date = 1 February 2018
| language = German
| language = de
| accessdate = 19 June 2018
| access-date = 19 June 2018
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


<ref name="RMF Förderverein">{{cite web
<ref name="RMF">{{cite web
| url = https://www.rheingau-musik-festival.de/en/sponsors-patrons/support-association/
| url = https://www.rheingau-musik-journal.de/platzvorteil-seit-35-jahren/
| title = Rheingau Musik Festival support association
| title = Platzvorteil seit 35 Jahren
| year = 2018
| date = 2018
| publisher = [[Rheingau Musik Festival]]
| publisher = [[Rheingau Musik Festival]]
| language = de
| accessdate = 15 April 2010
| access-date = 5 October 2023
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 148: Line 244:
| url = https://germany.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2016/07/Preistr%C3%A4ger-ULI-Leadership-Award-bis-2015.pdf
| url = https://germany.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2016/07/Preistr%C3%A4ger-ULI-Leadership-Award-bis-2015.pdf
| title = Liste der Preisträger des ULI Leadership Awards
| title = Liste der Preisträger des ULI Leadership Awards
| year = 2015
| date = 2015
| website = germany.uli.org
| website = germany.uli.org
| language = de
| accessdate = 19 April 2018
| access-date = 19 April 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170317022518/http://germany.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2016/07/Preistr%C3%A4ger-ULI-Leadership-Award-bis-2015.pdf
| archive-date = 17 March 2017
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

<ref name = "Staatskanzlei">{{cite web
| title = Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse für Claus Friedrich Wisser
| website = staatskanzlei.hessen.de
| date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://staatskanzlei.hessen.de/presse/verdienstkreuz-1-klasse-fuer-claus-friedrich-wisser
| language = de
| access-date = 5 October 2023
}}</ref>

<ref name = "Die Welt">{{cite web
| title = Unternehmer Claus Wisser kauft Hotel Kloster Johannisberg
| newspaper = [[Die Welt]]
| date = 4 May 2017
| url = https://www.welt.de/regionales/hessen/article164269237/Unternehmer-Claus-Wisser-kauft-Hotel-Kloster-Johannisberg.html
| language = de
| access-date = 6 October 2023
}}</ref>

<ref name = "SPD Hessen-Süd">{{cite web
| title = Die SPD trauert um Claus Wisser
| website = SPD Hessen-Süd
| date = 5 October 2023
| url = https://www.spdhessensued.de/2023/10/05/die-spd-trauert-um-claus-wisser/
| language = de
| access-date = 6 October 2023
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


}}
}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite web | title=Stadt Frankfurt trauert um Claus Wisser | website=frankfurt.de | url=https://frankfurt.de/de-de/aktuelle-meldung/meldungen/trauer-um-claus-wisser/ | language=de | access-date=6 October 2023}}
* {{cite web | last=Göpfert | first=Claus-Jürgen | title=Claus Wisser: Der mächtige Kumpel | website=[[Frankfurter Rundschau]] | date=5 October 2023 | url=https://www.fr.de/frankfurt/claus-wisser-der-maechtige-kumpel-92560354.html | language=de | access-date=6 October 2023}}
* {{cite web | last=Giersberg | first=Georg | title=Claus Wisser: Die Krise als Aufputschmittel | website=[[FAZ.NET]] | date=10 September 2007 | url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/karriere-hochschule/mein-weg/claus-wisser-die-krise-als-aufputschmittel-1463634.html | language=de | access-date=6 October 2023}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.wisag.de/ WISAG]
* [https://www.wisag.de/ WISAG]
* [http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/thema/claus-wisser Claus Wisser: Alle Nachrichten und Informationen der F.A.Z. zum Thema] [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
* [https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/thema/claus-wisser Claus Wisser: Alle Nachrichten und Informationen der F.A.Z. zum Thema] [[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|FAZ]]
* Katja Gußmann: [http://www.fnp.de/lokales/frankfurt/Der-rote-Faden-So-isser-der-Wisser;art675,812477 Folge 67: Firmengründer Claus Wisser Der rote Faden: So isser, der Wisser] [[Frankfurter Neue Presse]], 12 April 2014
* Katja Gußmann: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180619012730/http://www.fnp.de/lokales/frankfurt/Der-rote-Faden-So-isser-der-Wisser;art675,812477 Folge 67: Firmengründer Claus Wisser Der rote Faden: So isser, der Wisser] [[Frankfurter Neue Presse]], 12 April 2014
* Thorsten Müller: [http://www.hi-heute.de/interviews/news/mit-inspiration-und-transpiration-zu-nachhaltigkeit-und-effizienz/ Mit Inspiration und Transpiration zu Nachhaltigkeit und Effizienz] Handel und Immobilien, 7 October 2016
* Thorsten Müller: [http://www.hi-heute.de/interviews/news/mit-inspiration-und-transpiration-zu-nachhaltigkeit-und-effizienz/ Mit Inspiration und Transpiration zu Nachhaltigkeit und Effizienz] Handel und Immobilien, 7 October 2016


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wisser, Claus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wisser, Claus}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century German businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century German businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century German businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century German businesspeople]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Frankfurt]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Frankfurt]]
[[Category:German company founders]]
[[Category:German patrons of music]]
[[Category:German patrons of music]]
[[Category:German philanthropists]]
[[Category:German social democrats]]
[[Category:German social democrats]]
[[Category:German company founders]]

Latest revision as of 01:04, 23 April 2024

Claus Wisser
Bearded man with spectacles, bald with short white beard, and a half smile.
Wisser, c. 2012
Born(1942-06-30)30 June 1942
Wiesbaden, German Reich
Died4 October 2023(2023-10-04) (aged 81)
EducationGoethe University Frankfurt
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • philanthropist
Organizations
Awards

Claus Friedrich Wisser[1] (30 June 1942 – 4 October 2023) was a German businessman and philanthropist, a patron of music and the arts. He was head of the service company Wisag which he founded, and was chairman of its supervisory board since 2011, and honorary chairman of that board from 2022.

Wisser is also known as a founding member of the Rheingau Musik Festival, and chairman of its supporting association. He supported the Goethe University Frankfurt and museums, and founded a charity for children. He was twice a member of the Federal Convention to elect the German president.

Life and career

[edit]

Claus Wisser was born on 30 June 1942[2] in Wiesbaden, the son of a shopkeeper. He attended the Friedrich List School [de],[3] and helped in the family shop from age 10. When he was age 14, his father had to close the shop, and young Claus took on several jobs during his time at the gymnasium.[4] While still at school, he joined the SPD.[5] He studied business administration at the University of Frankfurt, and took part in the first students' revolt, opposing the German Emergency Acts.[4] He heard Carlo Schmid in public lectures at the university.[6]

In 1965, Wisser founded a company for the cleaning of office buildings; he posted an advertisement seeking a used working typewriter as a gift.[4] He began the company as its only employee, equipped with a broom, bucket, and the typewriter,[7] dropping out of university soon after.[4] The company grew to become Wisag [de], a business focused on cleaning, maintenance of parks, security, and catering, among others,[4] with 50,000 employees.[7] A short-lived venture into textiles was a failure, which left Wisser with a large amount of debt.[8] He then focused again on providing services for industry, administration, airlines, and airports, especially the ground traffic for the latter.[6][8] He stepped away from the company's operations during the 1990s, passing them on to executives including his son Michael Wisser, who became chairman of the company in 2007.[7] Claus Wisser became chairman of the supervisory board, and became honorary chairman of the supervisory board from 2022.[7]

In 1987, Wisser was one of the founding members of the Rheingau Musik Festival,[4] together with Michael Herrmann, Tatiana von Metternich-Winneburg, Michael Bolenius, Hans-Clemens Lucht, and Ulrich Rosin, with Wisser serving as the treasurer.[9][10] He succeeded Walter Fink as chairman of the Rheingau Musik Festival Förderverein, an association supporting the festival.[9][11] In honor of his 60th birthday on 30 June 2002, the festival staged a performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Eberbach Abbey, with soloists Annette Dasch, Gert Henning-Jensen, and Željko Lučić, the choir Orfeón Donostiarra, and the hr-Sinfonieorchester conducted by Hugh Wolff, which was recorded.[12]

Neues Kloster Johannisberg, 2009

Wisser also sponsored the Städel museum and the Caricatura Museum Frankfurt,[13][14] his former school,[3] and the University of Frankfurt.[14][15] He began a project to transform the former Neues Kloster Johannisberg [de] into a hotel and event venue.[16][17][18] In 2015, celebrating 50 years of Wisag, he founded together with his son the KiWIS foundation, a charity for children.[7]

Wisser was a member of the Federal Convention for the election of the German Bundespräsident, in 1999 and in 2017.[19][20]

Wisser died of cancer on 4 October 2023, at the age of 81.[8][7]

Boris Rhein, Minister-President of Hesse, said: "In Claus Wisser verlieren wir eine Persönlichkeit, die sich vollends in den Dienst der Gesellschaft gestellt hat. Auf den Feldern Bildung, Kunst und Kultur hat er mit viel Herzblut gewirkt. Claus Wisser hatte immer ein offenes Ohr für Pläne und Projekte, die dem Wohl der Bürgerinnen und Bürger dienen. Er war stets bereit, nicht nur mit Rat und Tat zu helfen, sondern auch mit Ideen zur finanziellen Unterstützung." (In Claus Wisser, we are losing a personality who placed himself entirely at the service of society. He put his heart and soul into the fields of education, art and culture. Claus Wisser always had an open ear for plans and projects that served the welfare of the citizens. He was always ready to help not only with advice and action, but also with ideas for financial support).[1]

Awards

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Wisser received awards for his exceptional social engagement and support of education, music, and the arts.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Rhein, Boris (5 October 2023). "Zum Tod von Claus Friedrich Wisser" (Press release) (in German). Minister-President of Hesse. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. ^ Giersberg, Georg (10 September 2007). "Claus Wisser: Die Krise als Aufputschmittel". FAZ (in German). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Der Weg zurück zur Gründung der Schule (Chronik von 2015 bis 1902)". Friedrich List School, Wiesbaden (in German). 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Göpfert, Klaus-Jürgen (30 June 2017). "Claus Wisser: Der rote Kapitalist". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Die SPD trauert um Claus Wisser". SPD Hessen-Süd (in German). 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Im Gespräch: Wisag-Gründer Claus Wisser: "Ich musste arbeiten wie ein Tier"". FAZ (in German). 1 February 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Wisag-Gründer Claus Wisser ist gestorben". produktion.de (in German). 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Riebsamen, Hans (5 October 2023). "Vom Putzmann zum Millionär – und zwischendrin eine Pleite". FAZ (in German). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Platzvorteil seit 35 Jahren" (in German). Rheingau Musik Festival. 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Vor 20 Jahren wurde Rheingau-Musik-Festival gegründet" [Rheingau Music Festival was founded 20 years ago] (in German). Blasmusik. 4 December 2007. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  11. ^ "149 Konzerte an 40 Spielstätten / Rheingau Musik Festival vor dem 31. Sommer voller Musik". Rheingau-Echo (in German). 1 February 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  12. ^ Carmina Burana : Jubiläumskonzert: 15 Jahre Rheingau Musik Festival, 60 Jahre Claus Wisser ; Kloster Eberbach 2002 ; live recording. 2002. OCLC 174868584.
  13. ^ Göpfert, Claus-Jürgen (3 July 2019). "Caricatura Frankfurt: Claus Wisser und Achim Frenz im Interview". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Göpfert, Klaus-Jürgen (7 March 2013). "Mäzen Frankfurt / Ehrenplakette für Claus Wisser". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Claus Wisser" (in German). University of Frankfurt. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  16. ^ Riebsamen, Hans (30 June 2022). "Chronisch unternehmenslustig". FAZ (in German). Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Unternehmer Claus Wisser kauft Hotel Kloster Johannisberg". Die Welt (in German). 4 May 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  18. ^ Bock, Oliver (13 September 2022). "Kloster Johannisberg: Die Sanierung geht voran". FAZ (in German). Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Ein Tag der Freude, den wir gemeinsam feiern". Frankfurter Neue Presse (in German). 13 February 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  20. ^ Hanack, Peter (27 November 2016). "Diese Hessen wählen den Bundespräsidenten". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  21. ^ "Bisherige Preisträger der Georg August Zinn-Medaille" (PDF) (in German). State of Hesse. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Liste der Preisträger des ULI Leadership Awards" (PDF). germany.uli.org (in German). 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  23. ^ "Stifter und Ehrenbürger verstorben: Goethe-Universität trauert um Claus Wisser". Aktuelles aus der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (in German). 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse für Claus Friedrich Wisser". staatskanzlei.hessen.de (in German). 24 March 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.

Further reading

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