On January 27, three members of the Association of Model Engineers flew to Aschaffenburg, Germany, to attend the funeral of Rainer Mader, who was tragically killed in a traffic accident in Malta earlier in the year.

The members, myself as club president, founder member Alex Vella and member Charles Palmier, wanted to convey the club’s recognition of the contribution Rainer had given not just to the AME but also to Malta by promoting it among his friends.

The club also wanted to show solidarity with his family, who were very touched by our presence and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.

At the funeral, which was attended by around 100 people, we placed flowers, a Maltese flag and a plaque with a message in German recognising Rainer’s friendship.

The pastor who conducted the service noted the presence of the Maltese contingent and the friendships Rainer had established in Malta.

Rainer Mader’s relationship with the island had begun when he started visiting a friend of his sister who is married to a Maltese and lives here. A toolmaker by trade, Rainer was keen to meet Maltese people who shared his hobby, model-making.

He heard about the club through a friend of the couple and contacted us, became a member and his warm personality won him many friends immediately.

Rainer would visit Malta twice a year to attend meetings and help with our annual exhibition.

The three AME members expressed their gratitude to Rainer’s sister Monica, to his parents and Heiko, Rainer’s best friend (also an AME member), for their gracious hospitality.

Rainer was a kind person, who had a lovely smile and someone who you would never tire of chatting to.

He was truly a great ambassador for Malta and we willmiss him.

The AME intends to hold a Mass in his memory soon. The last year has not been a happy one for the club, which was founded in 1983, as other club stalwarts have passed away. The AME would like to take this opportunity to salute them: Charles Spiteri, Charles Meyer and Joe Cutajar.