Erwin Junker

Erwin Junker was born on 15 April 1930, in the Black Forest town of Nordrach, near Offenburg, Germany, to saw mill owners Zäzilia and Ludwig Junker as the oldest of five children. After attending the elementary school in the Kolonie district, he worked for his parents’ company for three years. However, instead of taking over his parents’ business, as was the tradition, Erwin Junker opted for a career in mechanical engineering. In 1947, he started an apprenticeship with the Haas Company. After a year he switched to the Company Prototyp in Zell am Harmersbach, where he was working from 1948 to 1962. Starting out as an apprentice, he worked his way up to becoming an assistant mechanical engineer before continuing his education to receive his master craftsman degree. Subsequently, he moved to the mechanical engineering department, where he was in charge or training apprentices for 10 years. It was here, where he also invented a fully automated machine for grinding the tips of machine screw taps. He was promoted to the department head and soon also put in charge of a newly created grinding machine department. Following some disagreements with management, he resigned and founded his own company.

Junker married Marlies Junker (née Marlies Nennker, born 1942) in 1997. He had a daughter, Ingeborg Junker (born 1959), and a son, Manfred Junker (1960–2023), both from his first marriage.

Junker died on 13 July 2024, at the age of 94.

Erwin Junker had a strong connection to his home community. At the age of 24, he started running the local Horex motorcycle club, and at 29, became the head of the volunteer fire brigade. He also was involved in organizing the preservation and renovation of the local church. In 1962, Erwin Junker was elected into the town council and received more votes than any other candidate in Nordrach before him. For the following decade, he was the acting mayor. He was also elected to the supervisory board for the Volksbank in Zell and was a member of the advisory board for a trade association. Furthermore, in 1968, Erwin Junker was named an honorary commander of the voluntary fire brigade in Nordrach, in recognition of his exceptional contributions. In 1987, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit. Ultimately, he sent this back, as a response to his disappointment in the German state. In 1990, he was named an honorary citizen of Nordrach in recognition of his efforts.