You got your PhD in physics at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich but you also did pilot training. Why did you eventually decide to make a career in the field of your studies in physics instead of becoming a pilot?

I had already finished my studies in physics then, and I figured the job as a pilot would become boring to me after a while. Especially the night flights would have become monotonous after some time, I guess. Additionally, I had troubles with my back at the time.

 

You have been the secretary of the Boltshauser Club for many years already. Has anything remarkably changed since you joined the club?

Mainly the international element has changed. Today, members from all over the world can take part, not only those in Switzerland or Europe. This is possible through the new technologies, which we now have access to, like the Internet and Facebook. The information that we used to distribute via letters is nowadays available on Facebook.

 

A few years ago you and your family were invited to the wedding of a Boltshauser in Spain. How did that happen?

We visited him and his girlfriend on our trip to the US in 2011, when he still lived in California. We got to know him via Dick Jones. He invited us and when he came to Switzerland he would visit us at our home. After that, he invited us to his wedding, which took place in Spain, since his wife is from there. As a software engineer, he is able to work from wherever he likes, so he decided to settle down with his wife in Barcelona after the wedding.

 

You often travel on business. Have you had any special experiences on your travels, which you will never forget?

It was last year in Guatemala and we went there to sell machines to a client. I mentioned to him that I thought of Guatemala as a beautiful country and that I had read something about a famous Inca site. The client immediately suggested going there the next day and he promised that he would organise a helicopter flight for us. When he called, the helicopter company said that we were to many, however, and that accordingly we were to heavy for one helicopter. Eventually we went to the site by plane and our client invited us to visit the pyramids. It became a day trip, since flying to the site and back took us 45 minutes each. That was an extraordinary experience, but things like these don’t happen all the time of course.

 

What are your wishes for the future?

Most of all I wish for health. I want to stay healthy and mobile.

 

*

*

*