It is with sentiments of deep sorrow that we have received the message that our beloved colleague from the UBS Optimus Foundation, Reinhard Fichtl, passed away on 24 March. Reinhard was a leader helping to bring together foundations concerned with improving children’s lives. He played a critical role in setting up the Violence and Children Evaluation Fund and was always a wonderful thought partner and colleague to our team at the Bernard van Leer Foundation. He was particularly well regarded for having worked for many years in the field of humanitarian relief – a perspective that kept him grounded in the realities of children and families. Although his passing make us all deeply sad, we acknowledge with gratitude that Reinhard lead a remarkable life — a life of great contributions for the well-being of children, women and humanity at large. In this time of grief, we wish his family and friends much strength and fortitude in coping with the irreparable loss.
