Raimund Pingel: A life for the district of Borken and the region!

Raimund Pingel, former senior director of the Borken district, died on December 23, 2024 at the age of 89. Pingel was born in Hagen in 1935 and was a lawyer and administrative scientist. He started his professional career after studying law in Freiburg and Münster and the University of Administrative Sciences in Speyer. In 1967 he started service of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and worked in the Münster regional council.

1972 he was elected senior district director of the Borken district and took office on August 1, 1972. During his over 27-year term, which lasted until 1999, Pingel played a decisive role in the municipal reorganization, which led to Borken in 1975. During this time, he campaigned intensively for the economic development of the region, which was strongly shaped by agriculture and textile industry at the time. Under his leadership, the infrastructure, including the construction of the A 31 motorway, was significantly improved.

commitment and awards

During his term in office,

Pingel paid attention to soft location factors and promoted the establishment of important cultural institutions such as the State Music Academy in Heek-Nienborg, the artist village of Schöppingen and the Hamaland Museum Vreden. In addition, from 1987 to 1999 he was spokesman for the upper circle directors in the Münster administrative district and was involved in many other bodies and associations, including in the district council and in the Euregio association.

After retiring from the active service, Pingel continued to work for German-Dutch cultural work and the Westphalian Heimatbund. In 2001 he was awarded the great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2001 and the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2013. In addition, the Dutch Queen Beatrix appointed him officer of the order of Oranien-Nassau.

District Administrator Dr. Kai Zwicker expressed his regret about Pingel's death and described him as a role model and an estimated guide, who shaped the region sustainably. Many citizens will remember Pingels tireless efforts for the district of Borken and its people.

More details on Raimund Pingels Life and work are in the reports of Westfalenpiegel and bbv-net