A Final Farewell to Norbert Kucera
On March 22, 2025, Olesya Zaglada attended the Resurrection Service for Norbert Kucera, held at the American Church in Bonn, followed by a Memorial Reception at the Rheinhotel Dreesen.
Friends, family, and colleagues from around the world gathered in Bonn to honor the life and legacy of Norbert Kucera—a revered leader in international wheelchair basketball, a passionate educator, and a beloved conductor. The service and reception reflected the breadth of his influence, spanning from basketball courts to concert halls, and the deep admiration and affection he inspired across continents.
An Extraordinary Life
Norbert Kucera was an extraordinary personality. His memorial book, prepared especially for the Resurrection Service, describes him as follows:
“He risked an entire law degree when he realized how much he could inspire students. He succeeded because he possessed a natural authority that was intuitively felt.
A former student recently recalled how, as a spectator, he admired Norbert Kucera, who was only a few years older than him, for his referee-like authority; how his expertise and body language prevented any lengthy discussions during an emotionally charged basketball match in the Ruhr region. His authority enabled the 23-year-old to be selected as an international referee at his first Paralympic Games in Seoul in 1988.
Norbert lived – in the best sense – intensely and with full commitment, navigating three worlds:
- A life dedicated to global wheelchair basketball.
- A life as an educator, gifted with the natural ability to inspire both young and older generations through music.
- A life as a loyal friend, a trusted companion, and, at the same time, a meticulous and brilliant organizer. There was also a certain fragility about him.”
A Farewell in Music and Memories
The memorial service concluded with his choir—who reunited to honor their former conductor—performing “Thank You for the Music”, a fitting tribute to a life so richly lived.
Following the service, guests gathered for a Memorial Reception, welcoming people from Australia, Canada, Dubai, Mexico, Italy, South Africa, and beyond. Stories and cherished memories were shared, as tributes continued with a video message from IWBF President Ulf Mehrens and heartfelt reflections from:
- IWBF Vice President Walter Pfaller
- FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis
- Norbert’s longtime friend and colleague Don Perriman
- Cristian Roja, one of Norbert’s protégés and a close friend
His closest friends, Christian Florack and Dorothee Schwüppe, organized the Memorial Service and Reception.
IWBF’s Charlie Bethel, who gently guided the reception, summed it up best:
“We are all better thanks to Norbert Kucera.”
A Final Farewell: Resurrection Service and Memorial Reception Held for Norbert Kucera
In lieu of flowers, guests wishing to make contribution made a donation to the Organisation Förderkreis krebskranker Kinder und Jugendlicher Bonn e.V. , which supports children and young people with cancer, as this was suggested by Norbert’s family and friends.
In the farewell photo from the Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Norbert looks at us—not in judgment, but with his signature warmth and understanding.
May Norbert Kucera rest in peace.