Memorial
Two of the name givers of our firm, Werner Eitle and Dr. Klaus Hoffmann, sadly passed away in December 2021 and we cannot but pay our utmost respect to them. We would like to share a few words about these two honourable gentlemen, starting with Mr. Eitle:
Although, Werner Eitle was the older one, our firm is nonetheless called HOFFMANN EITLE and not Eitle Hoffmann due to Dr. Klaus Hoffmann being the grandson of our firm’s founder (Emil Hoffman). Mr. Eitle – also affectionately known as Tiddy – sadly passed away on December 6, 2021 at the impressive age of 94. Both the HOFFMANN ETILE staff and the partners wish to express their utmost condolences to the Eitle family for having lost a beloved family member. We are sure that none of us will ever forget who Tiddy was or the impact he has had.
In 1954, Werner Eitle qualified as a civil engineer at the Technical University of Munich and after spending a brief period in the industry he joined HOFFMANN EITLE. In fact, he joined our firm that very year, which of course, back then only went by the name Hoffmann. In 1957, he qualified as a German patent attorney and would go on to form a partnership with Erich Hoffmann – the son of our founder Emil Hoffmann and the father of Dr. Klaus Hoffmann – effectively giving the firm its widely recognised name. Given this background, it is perhaps easier to grasp the significance of Mr. Eitle’s passing.
Mr. Eitle was an active partner right until 1997 and a widely respected patent attorney whose efforts greatly influenced our firm’s identity. He pioneered the mechanical department and laid the foundation for the strong relationship we have with our clients. This type of bonding with the client would not remain exclusive to the mechanical department but extend to the chemistry, electrical and even legal department. Werner Eitle laid the groundwork for our firm and is the reason we have seen such success.
Furthermore, we are proud to say that he paid great attention to both the external and inner workings of HOFFMANN EITLE. He was well-known to be a very open-minded person who took interest in those around him. Mr. Eitle would ask about his colleague’s tasks and come to ignite HOFFMANN EITLE’s characteristic team spirit. We honour both him as well as his extraordinary achievements and will strive to continue what he started going forward. He will forever have a place in our hearts.
At the age of 88, Dr. Klaus Hoffmann has also passed away in December 2021. Again, we express our sincerest condolences to his family for their loss. Dr. Klaus Hoffmann, also referred to as Junior in our Munich office – due to him being the third successor of our firm – also qualified at the Technical University of Munich. He graduated 1957, and received his doctorate in 1959 in physical chemistry with a focus on electrochemistry and joined HOFFMANN EITLE that same year. Interestingly enough he became a member of our mechanical group. We’ve been told that him passing his basic degree and receiving his doctorate were actually extremely remarkable achievements because back in the 50’s our office was simultaneously the home of the Hoffmann family. It turns out that, at the time, Mr. Hoffman’s bedroom was the office of Mr Eitle. So, Mr. Hoffmann had to get up every morning and get out of bed to free his room for Mr. Eitle. By now, everybody is familiar with the concept of working from home, but it is nice to know that even 70 years ago our firm was bracing for future events.
In 1960, Mr. Eitle and Dr. Hoffmann’s father formed a partnership, thus giving us our name. Dr. Hoffmann (Junior) qualified as a German patent attorney in 1962 and was active both in Germany and abroad. In fact, he was also active in the various IP organisations where he even served as general secretary and general reporter. In 1993, he retired. HOFFMANN EITLE would not be what it is today if it had not been for Dr. Hoffmann. He, too was a friendly and open-minded person who valued his colleagues and took genuine interest in them and what they were doing. People could sense how great of a person he was and would gravitate toward him and subsequently our firm. It was Dr. Hoffmann especially, who taught us the meaning behind the words “All for one and one for all.”, something we will be eternally grateful to him for.
Once again, we would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Eitle, Dr. Hoffmann and his predecessors for pouring their hearts into laying the foundation for the kind of firm we are. Hopefully, we can look at a fruitful and happy future thanks to them.