Rudolf Gantner passed away

Mountaineer, Mountain Rescuer, Bridge Builder – Rudolf "Rudl" Gantner

The Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service mourns the loss of its honorary chairman, Rudolf "Rudl" Gantner.  
With Rudl, we bid farewell to a highly respected mountaineer, mountain rescuer, and bridge builder throughout the entire Bavarian Mountain Rescue community.

His journey in mountain rescue began in 1959 with the Mountain Rescue Team Immenstadt . His dedication to rescue work, along with his strength and ability to help shape the organization, led him to the Allgäu Avalanche Dog Unit, which he later headed.  
On his path to becoming Deputy State Leader of the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service, he served for several years as the head of the Immenstadt Mountain Rescue Team and later as Regional Leader of the Allgäu region.

Particularly during his 12 years as Deputy Chairman of the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service, he became a crucial link – between State Parliament President Alois Glück and the grassroots members, between young and old, between high and low mountain regions, and between volunteers and professionals.  
He was connected to the pioneers of mountain rescue like Wiggerl Gramminger, deeply committed to rescue efforts himself, and later became a bridge builder and door-opener for the next generation.

He travelled countless kilometers across Bavaria, using both heart and mind to show everyone that the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service can best move forward as a unified organization – always guided by the values of mountaineers under the Edelweiss emblem and the mission to help in the best possible way under the sign of the Red Cross.

As part of the leadership team – with Alois Glück as Chairman, Dieter Winkler as fellow Deputy, and Gerhard Opperer as Managing Director – he successfully implemented major initiatives, including a coherent and appropriate operational structure and the construction of the Mountain Rescue Center in Bad Tölz.

“For Rudl Gantner, the Mountain Rescue Service was a lifelong passion. He was there for all of us – active and former members, volunteers and professionals – as a listener, mediator, and bridge builder. Always approachable and full of joy in and for life.  
With Rudl Gantner, we lose a comrade who can serve as a role model to us all.  
We will miss him dearly.”

Thomas Lobensteiner, Chairman of the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service

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The funeral of Rudl Gantner will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 1:30 PM
at the cemetery in Immenstadt, in the funeral hall (Aussegnungshalle).
Address: Adolph-Probst-Straße 12, 87509 Immenstadt im Allgäu.

Afterwards, there will be a gathering with refreshments at Gasthaus Hotel Krone
(Rottachbergstraße 1) in Immenstadt for all comrades, companions, and friends,
together with the family.

For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to confirm your attendance by emailing:
anmeldung(at)bergwacht-bayern.org