HANS OTTO GÖLLNER – DAS SCHICKSAL EINES VERGESSENEN HISTORIKERS UND SCHRIFTSTELLERS AUS SÄCHSISCH-REGEN
Hans Otto Göllner – The Fate of a Forgotten German Historian and Writer from Reghin

Summary/Abstract: This article presents the life of the Transylvanian Saxon historian and writer Hans Otto Göllner (26.10.1924–13.06.1987). He was born as the son of the insurance agent Otto Göllner in Sächsisch-Regen/ Reghin (Transylvania) on 26 October 1924. Upon finishing primary school, he attended first the “Bischof-Teutsch”-Gymnasium in Schäßburg/ Sighișoara and then the German Evangelical Secondary School A. C “Evangelisches Gymnasium A. B.” in Bistritz/ Bistrița (Northern Transylvania). On 14 April 1942 he passed the leaving examination with distinction. Afterwards he was called up. Because of the war, his parents left Transylvania and settled in Austria. After the war he studied history, philosophy and German philology at the University of Graz. On 5 February 1949, he graduated with distinction with the historical-sociological thesis titled The Social Theory of Classes as Seen by Lorenz von Stein. He obtained a degree in German philology and stenography too. Apart from working as a teacher, he published a series of articles on the refugee question in the Tagespost, the leading newspaper in Styria. He also wrote radio plays which were broadcast by the Austrian Radio Corporation. Between 1962 and 1963 he was a visiting lecturer at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. On 27 or 29 October 1964, he was involved in a serious car accident in the Phyrn Pass from which he never fully recovered. He was afflicted with musculoskeletal disorders that affected his gait as well as with psychological issues. Moreover, his handwriting deteriorated to such a degree, that by 1980 it had become illegible. Nevertheless, he faced his problems with courage and invested considerable effort and energy in his recovery. In 1972 he worked at the university library (catalogue) for a few months. In 1973 he travelled to Romania. In the 1970s and 80s he spent several short periods in hospital and at health resorts. Between 1985 and 1987 he lived in nursing homes. He passed away in the hospital in Deutschlandsberg on 13 June 1987.

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