26 May 2020

Dr. Jürgen Schwarzl has passed away

The message spread quickly throughout the driving world yesterday that Jürgen Schwarzl passed away shortly after celebrating his eightieth birthday.

I remember one of the last times i saw him at the end of the 2019 season. “Next year I’m going to take it a bit easier. My garden at home in Hamburg is beautiful. I’m already looking forward to it.”

With these words he was preparing not only me, but also the driving world for his transition to a quieter private life. In reality, no one really believed him. Driving competitions without him were unthinkable. He was always active, but mostly unobtrusively present at the side of the ring, sitting on a camping chair and searching for those perfect moments that his beloved driving had to offer in abundance.

But to reduce his roll to just a gifted photographer would not do his character justice. He was active in many facets, he could organize and always had lots of good ideas. He was also recognized for his work in the “Mensport” within the German Rider and Drivers organization and received a ‘bronze wagon wheel’ award.

 

Photo: Rolf Schettler

As a profession, Dr. Jürgen Schwarzl was originally a pharmacist and later the research director for a pharmaceutical company in Harz. But photography was and remained his biggest passion, and specifically taking pictures of combined driving. He was also active for diverse media outlets as a journalist.

On the basis of his effort and skills he was known by many as the ‘Eye of driving’. This compliment is unquestionably deserved.

Combined driving without him is impossible to comprehend. We will miss Dr. Jürgen Schwarzl badly, as photographer, as journalist, but above all as a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable person. The chance to know him was for many a great enrichment to their lives.

 

Rudolf Temporini