Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940 in Mährisch-Ostrau ) is a German pilot and religious leader. From February 2008 to 2018 he was the first German member of the three-person First Presidency , the highest governing body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the so-called Mormons ).
Career
Uchtdorf, born as the son of Karl Albert and Hildegard E. Uchtdorf, went to school in Zwickau and Frankfurt am Main . He studied mechanical engineering and business administration in Cologne . He studied international business management in Lausanne . In 1959 he joined the German Air Force . He was awarded a fighter pilot badge in the USA in 1962 .
From 1965 he was employed as a pilot at Lufthansa . From 1970 to 1996 he was a flight captain for the aircraft types B-727, B-737, A-300, DC-10 and B-747 and as such was also equipped with control and training authority. From 1989 on he was the chief pilot of Lufthansa.
On April 7, 1996, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called him to the first quorum of the Seventy . He served in the Presidency of the Seventy from August 2002 until he became an Apostle . He was proposed to general conference for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , the second highest governing body, on October 2, 2004, and ordained an apostle by Gordon B. Hinckley on October 7, 2004 .
Dieter Uchtdorf was called to serve as the second counselor in the First Presidency of the new President Thomas S. Monson on February 4, 2008 , following the death of Church President Gordon B. Hinckley . His seat in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was suspended while he was in the First Presidency.
Uchtdorf was awarded the Federal Republic of Germany's Cross of Merit on October 30, 2012 . He was honored for his outstanding service to the community and as a pilot during a brief tribute at Latter-day Saints headquarters in Salt Lake City.
On December 14, 1962, he married Harriet Reich in the Bern Temple . Together they are the parents of two children and have six grandchildren.
Web links
- Biography of Dieter F. Uchtdorf (German)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Uchtdorf, Dieter F. |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Uchtdorf, Dieter Friedrich (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German pilot and religious leader |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 6, 1940 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Moravian-Ostrava |