Harry from de Gass

Memorial to Harry von de Gass in the Idstein pedestrian zone

Plaque on the statue

Harry von de Gass (actually Harry Seegebarth, born January 20, 1942 in Berlin , † July 28, 2005 in Idstein ) was an Idstein original . In his honor, a life-size bronze monument was inaugurated on August 28, 2008 in the Idstein pedestrian zone. The around 24,000 euros required for this were raised by donations from the Idstein population. Among other things, young musicians from the Catholic parish of St. Martin gave a successful benefit concert .

Harry Seegebarth came to the Idsteiner Socio-Pedagogical Center Kalmenhof at the age of nine . He lived here until his death. He was employed in various areas, such as tailoring, housekeeping, basketry, the kitchen and finally in the laundry at the mangle . Despite his intellectual disabilities , he gained particular fame in his hometown as a singing street sweeper, who stood out for his original clothing. He was an altar boy in the parish of St. Martin for over forty years . He carried the lecture cross when entering the church and during processions . In addition, he was an honorary member of the scout tribe of the parish and participated in many events in the city, e.g. B. as Kerbeborsch (fair boy), court singer, barrel nights and helpers with. In 2002 he was seen with his work device in the move to the Hessentag .

The bronze sculpture was designed by Waldemar Schröder (born July 6, 1950 in Krasnoturjinsk , Russia ). It was set up in Idstein on the corner of Rodergasse and Schulze-Delitzsch-Straße , deliberately near a manhole cover, as Harry tended to sweep some dirt into sewer manholes.

The city of Idstein published a leaflet which, in addition to life data, photos and appreciation, contains a song that M. Helmut Fischer had composed for him and that he sang on many occasions, with the refrain Des is de Harry von de Gass! In addition, the city illustrates its instructions on clearing and littering with an image of the sculpture.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Monument to an Idstein original . Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung from September 19, 2008
2. ↑ Martin Kolbus: Sculpture for the everyday hero "Harry von de Gass": More than a street sweeper / Five meters of donation list. In: Wiesbadener Tagblatt . August 30, 2008.
3. ↑ Benefit concert “There is joy in you” Young musicians sing and play for the benefit of a sculpture called “Harry von de Gass”. Diocese of Limburg , September 7, 2007
4. ↑ ^{a b} Idsteiner Original "Harry von de Gass". In: Leaflet of the city of Idstein.
5. ^ Sculpture "Harry von de Gass" stadtleben.de.
6. ↑ Notes on clearing and littering  ( page can no longer be called up , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. City of Idstein.  

Coordinates: 50 ° 13 ′ 15.2 ″  N , 8 ° 16 ′ 5.2 ″  E