How long have you been with the Foundation, and what are your duties?
I have been working as a caretaker at the SPK’s head office since May 2001. During this time, I have seen two presidents come and go, as well as vice-presidents, heads of units, heads of departments and colleagues; in June, a new president will take the reins – each with their own vision!
When I started, my main role was the maintenance and upkeep of the Villa von der Heydt. Over the years, however, my responsibilities have changed significantly. Of course, I still look after the upkeep of the Villa and liaise with external contractors, but that is now only a small part of my work, as I am now responsible for five HV sites. Given the reform process and the growth of the HV, there will certainly be more to do in the future – I’m looking forward to it!
I work so well with my immediate colleagues that I also enjoy meeting them outside of work – I just think that’s brilliant.
I reckon a caretaker isn’t just a handyman, but a bit of a counsellor too. Because I work across all departments of the HV, having personal conversations is a real privilege. Everyone has their own story to tell, and my knowledge from other chats with colleagues sometimes makes me smile, because both conversations are somehow connected and could actually solve one problem or another. Of course, I try to remain neutral – what else can I do? A caretaker has more ears than you might think. My children once gave me a T-shirt that said: ‘My dad is a caretaker, he knows places where you’ll never find you.’ That’s exactly how I’d describe a caretaker.
What is your favourite place and what do you most enjoy doing there?
That’s an easy question: my absolute favourite place is the roof of the Villa von der Heydt. The view and the peace and quiet there are simply unique. It’s a place where I’m left in peace and don’t get interrupted. During my rounds through the buildings, lots of staff members approach me with queries and information, which I sometimes forget. It annoys me when colleagues have to ask again, but that’s only human – after all, I’m not exactly young anymore.
Every morning, I look forward to driving into the villa’s courtyard. It’s rare to have such an imposing and historic building right in the heart of the city as a workplace. I’d go so far as to say that nobody knows the villa as well as I do. Everything that has been done to this building is simply fascinating. No aspect of its craftsmanship has escaped my curiosity, and so I’ve developed a deep connection to this wonderful house.
I hope that I can continue to spend many exciting years at the Villa – and that I’ll be allowed to stay there despite the changes!
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