Volker Hage

It feels utterly impossible to write this, to put into words the enormous space Volker has left behind. He died on May 1st, 2026, after a life that felt, frankly, like a beautifully complicated, wonderfully chaotic adventure. Born on January 1st, 1950, Volker was a force of nature from the start – a mischievous glint in his eye, a quick wit that could disarm anyone, and a stubborn refusal to take anything too seriously. I remember when he first told me about wanting to be a journalist, he declared he’d “conquer the world with words,” and honestly, he came pretty close. He spent years at *[[Der Spiegel]]*, sharp and insightful, dissecting the world with a precision that was both brilliant and occasionally terrifying. But beneath the serious journalist, there was always this incredibly warm, generous soul. Volker’s passion wasn’t just for words, though. He adored old jazz records, could spend hours lost in a good book (usually something obscure and challenging), and had a surprisingly green thumb – his garden was a riot of colour and a testament to his patient, loving touch. He’d spend hours tinkering with his vintage motorcycle, a project he’d been working on for years, always muttering about needing just “one more tweak.” More than anything, though, he loved his family. He was the most devoted husband to my sister, Anna, and the most playful, endlessly patient father to our children, Leo and Clara. He’d build elaborate Lego castles with Leo, patiently explain the nuances of Shakespeare to Clara, and always, always had a silly joke or a comforting hug ready. What I’ll miss most, I think, is his ability to see the best in everyone. He had this incredible gift for making you feel like you were the most interesting person in the room. He wasn’t afraid to challenge you, to push you to think differently, but he always did it with kindness and a genuine desire to help you grow. Later in life, he completely reinvented himself as a novelist, and those books – raw, honest, and deeply moving – are a testament to his courage and his willingness to explore the complexities of the human heart. Volker’s legacy isn’t just in his work, though. It’s in the countless lives he touched with his laughter, his wisdom, and his unwavering love. He taught us to embrace the messy, beautiful chaos of life, to never stop questioning, and to always, always find joy in the small things. We’ll miss you terribly, my dear Volker.