Peter was the head of international media relations for Liqui Moly, and throughout the years, we connected on several stories and special projects. The news shocked his colleagues at Liqui Moly, who are all still in disbelief at his sudden passing. He was 47 years old and left behind a partner, brother, and parents. He lived in Füssen, Germany, not far from the famous castle Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
Peter was an avid hang gliding pilot and even flew from the Allgäu region to the North Cape of Norway and back again with a friend from the Füssen Air Sports Club in 2016. He also loved sailing and history, the latter of which led him to get a doctorate and write a book about arms and political systems.
Peter began his career with Liqui Moly in 2010 and quickly made his mark among the many trade journalists and magazines in which the company advertised and worked to place press releases. But with Peter, working together was more than just placing a story or buying an ad. He wanted to be part of the team.
I first met him around 2010 when he was on a U.S. media tour, and he wanted to stop at our offices in Akron, Ohio. He was friendly and down to earth and had an infectious laugh. He wanted to understand the inner workings of our editorial team and the markets we covered. Peter, being a former journalist, could relate to editors very well.
As I corresponded with Peter’s colleagues back in Germany, they are still in shock and know that they have a long way to go to fill his shoes with all the contacts and work he has done for the company over the past 13 years.
Peter was a big help with my career as an automotive and motorsports journalist and editor, allowing me to tag along on several trips to events such as the Daytona 24-hour race and World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), where his company sponsored race teams.
We echo the sentiments of Liqui Moly’s Managing Director, Günter Hiermaier, of Peter’s passing: “Unfathomable -- the great loss of a valued and extremely popular colleague… Our thoughts are with his family and partner.”
Godspeed, my friend.
