From left: Gunther von Hagens (77), granddaughter Mira (11), son Rurik (42), father Gerhard Liebchen (106) Photo: private
By Tomas Kittan
Plastinator Gunther von Hagens – birth name Liebchen – is a family man. Now the 77-year-old has lost his father.
Hagens’ son Rurik (42) confirmed this to BZ. The 42-year-old has been in charge of the Gubener Plastinarium for some time. Hagen’s younger brother Gero-Armin Liebchen (75) writes: “Our father Gerhard Liebchen died in Heidelberg on Friday. After all, he was a proud 106 years old.”
And further: “He died just five days after his birthday. We all celebrated that together. Dad wasn’t doing well then. He was supposed to go to the hospital but didn’t want to. “
A male plastinate from the Body Worlds exhibition at Alexanderplatz Photo: Ralf Lutter
The big surprise: There will be no funeral! Liebchen explains: “Our father is a body donor. It is still unclear whether Gunther will plastinate it himself.” After all, the plastinator has been suffering from Parkinson’s since 2008.
Gunther and Gero-Armin’s father owned a mill with a sawmill during World War II. After the war, among other things, he operated a coal trade and was a gas station manager. His hobby was beekeeping. Mother Gertrud Liebchen died in 1983 at the age of 75.
And how is the state of health of the Dr. Death of known Plastinator currently? His son Rurik: “Actually, he is doing quite well. The language is always difficult and he gets tired quickly. But Father’s overall condition is very encouraging.”
On December 8, 2021, Gunther von Hagens was made an honorary citizen of Greiz. He had lived in the Thuringian city from the age of 6 to 20.
