Volkher Eike Riech
In the evening of Thursday 11th May, German Aurovilian Volkher Eike Riech quietly left his body in his Mahalakshmi Home apartment. He would have been 82 in June and had been suffering severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Environmentalist
Having worked as an Ocean Scientist, Volkher first arrived in Auroville in 1997 and became Aurovilian two years later. Being keenly interested in geological and environmental issues, he was drawn to Auroville’s green work, and worked and lived during his first years in Darkali, Discipline, and Aurogreen.
He then moved to Vikas and started working at the Botanical Gardens, where he initiated and maintained the centre’s elaborate cactus gardens which he kept up until health issues interfered in 2019.
However, his interest remained and pretty soon he moved into Mahalakshmi Home where he continued creating a cactus garden and arrangements on the balcony. His smiling presence there was appreciated by all.
In the afternoon of Monday, 15th May, Volkher’s body was buried at the Auroville burial grounds.
Our condolences to Volkher’s son Klaus, wife and grandson, to his close friend Anne, as well as to his personal aide and good friend Shankar Ganesh, who was present day and night with him during the last months.
OM~
