RIP Peter Bechtel

 

Karl May Festival

October 8, 2022

 

This morning we have received the sad news that Peter Bechtel has passed away. For the South German Karl May festivals, the team before and behind the scenes and certainly also for all fans, Peter, the "old Haudegen", as he liked to call himself, will remain unforgettable.

Legendary was mainly his role as Old Firehand (our picture, left), when he played alongside Winnetous in 2016 (Matthias M.), picture on the right) and Ribannas (Marina Hohnke) fought for the good. Only a year earlier, in 2015, he bumped into the ensemble of the South German Karl May Festivals and at very short notice he was hatched into the role of Colonel Brinkley for the production of "The Treasure in the Silver Sea". He followed in big footsteps back then, if the role had actually been intended for the few weeks before the premiere of late Fred Rai.

Dear Peter Bechtel, we will never forget how you jumped in so spontaneously in 2015 and saved the festival season with your gripping, positive way. The time spent with you, in total it has been three years, was nice and it is packed with many positive memories! Now you too are riding through the eternal hunting grounds and we wish you from the bottom of our hearts that you will meet there again some of your old friends and companions who have already gone before you.

BECHTEL, Peter

Born: 11/1/1941, Hofgeismar, Kassel, Germany

Died: 10/8/2022, Germany

 

2 Pengo 2 Rengo - 2013 (Dynamite Sam)

The Treasure of the Silver Sea 2015 (Colonel Brinkley)

Winnetou II - 2016 (Old Firehand)