Josef Leutgeb

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Josef Leutgeb (born July 16, 1933 in Zwettl ; † September 21, 1983 ) was an Austrian editor-in-chief , publicist , newspaper publisher, author and local researcher .

Life

Leutgeb was born as the eldest son of a family from Zwettler. He had two siblings, Anna and Rupert Leutgeb. After completing compulsory schooling, he began an electrical apprenticeship and dropped out of the first class in Stockerau after eight months. He took on numerous jobs, including newspaper distributors and sales representatives. In this way he financed 13 further training courses.

Leutgeb was married to Emma Leutgeb, b. Vinicky, born in Hungary, artist, press photographer and later newspaper editor († 1990). The couple had two sons, Josef Leutgeb jun. (* 1959) and Rupert Leutgeb (* 1960). Leutgeb died unexpectedly on September 21, 1983 of complications from a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of only 50.

Career

In 1951 he founded the America Institute in Zwettl. Cultural events, study programs for American colleges and universities, as well as language courses and seminars were among the offerings of the America Institute. From 1950 to 1958 he toured with three film teams through the Waldviertel to present cultural film programs, the net income of which went to local organizers such as parishes, associations and communities.

In June 1952 he began his journalistic career with USIS , among others with the then American Viennese courier and the broadcasting group Rot-Weiß-Rot . Some articles published under the pseudonyms "Lauscher" and "Listener".

From October 1955 he worked as a reporter for Faber-Verlag , from 1956 as an editor. From January 1960 to December 1965 Leutgeb was the main district party secretary of the ÖVP in Zwettl. From January 1966 to March 1967 he was a full-time editor of the Faber publishing house, and on the side built up an independent company. From 1967 he was the owner of an advertising agency, a photo house and a publishing house, but continued to work as a local editor at what is now the "Faber Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft" (Zwettler Nachrichten).

Leutgeb has been a member of the Zwettler district management since the founding of the civil defense association - until 1979. Since April 1970 he has been a committee member of the state guild for commercial advertising and since its founding a member of the jury for the "Goldener Hahn" advertising award. In May 1970 he became head of the America Institute. He was the founder and publisher of the "Waldviertler Kurier", as well as the editor of numerous local history publications and books.

Campaigns

In a newspaper article, Leutgeb unsuccessfully demanded the merger of numerous communities into one municipality with more than 10,000 inhabitants. Later, in cooperation with Franz Steiniger and the then mayor of Zwettl Anton Denk, he organized a corresponding propaganda campaign that paved the way for the formation of today's large community of Zwettl.

He campaigned for the rescue of the Dürnhof, the oldest grangie in Central Europe. The Dürnhof, built around 1200 a short distance from the Zwettl monastery, was run as a monastery farm until 1938 . During the eight centuries of its existence, the Dürnhof was ravaged by fire and destruction several times. Leutgeb was not only involved in journalism for the court, but he also managed to renovate the endangered building through personal discussions. The listed complex has been privately owned since 2003 and is used for cultural events.

One of his ideas was the setting of a Thaya spring stone in the market town of Schweiggers . Sponsored by Faber-Verlag, the fountain was inaugurated on May 31, 1973.

From 1980 Josef Leutgeb was on the board of the association for the operation of the Rosenau castle .

Awards and honors

Publications (selection)

  • Waldviertel homeland book . Edited by Helmut Sauer and Josef Leutgeb. Volume 1: 1966; Volume 2: 1979.
  • The Thayatal . Zwettl, Leutgeb, 1971.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Leutgeb, Josef
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian journalist and local researcher
DATE OF BIRTH July 16, 1933
PLACE OF BIRTH Zwettl
DATE OF DEATH September 21, 1983