Aalen mourns: Farewell to Dean Erich Haller – a great loss!

Aalen mourns: Farewell to Dean Erich Haller – a great loss!

There was deep sadness in Aalen and beyond when the news of the death of the esteemed former dean Erich Haller on June 29, 2025 in the Ostalbklinikum made the rounds. Haller, who worked as dean in Aalen from 1993 to 2007, shaped the Protestant community and the city in general with his friendly nature and great commitment. The funeral service took place on July 7th at the forest cemetery in Aalen, which was attended by a large number of people and reflected the great appreciation for Haller. Swabian Post reports that the celebration of the retired dean Ursula Richter and Pastor Caroline Bender, who offered words of consolation to the numerous mourners.

Erich Haller was installed in the Aalen town church on August 20, 1993, after previously working as a youth pastor in Stuttgart. He took on many tasks in the Protestant parish of Aalen and was the first pastor of the city church, as well as managing pastor of the Protestant church district of Aalen. During his 14 years in Aalen, he implemented numerous important projects, including the founding of the Ostalb district deaconry association and the establishment of an outpatient hospice service. The financing of a new organ and the opening of a food bank were also realized during his term of office. These achievements demonstrate his deep commitment to making the community a better place to live.

An eventful life

Erich Haller was born on July 11, 1923 in Stuttgart. After his time in Aalen, Haller and his wife Irene remained rooted in the city. Despite his retirement, he remained actively involved in the community, including as a member of the state synod and the board of trustees of the Samaritan Foundation in Nürtingen. He was also active on the board of the Diakonieförderverein until 2023. These activities demonstrate his ongoing passion for diakonia and working with people in need. As the Swabian reports, Haller was known as “sober and pious,” while at the same time placing great value on diakonia.

The funeral service was accompanied by a trombone choir, which set musical accents and played songs selected by Haller such as “What God does, that is well done” and “The moon has risen” at the funeral. Once described as a fine man, who was always involved in the community, Haller leaves behind a legacy of faith and charity in Aalen. His life was marked by devotion and a deep understanding of the challenges of faith.

The funeral procession led from the chapel to the middle of the forest cemetery, and many people were moved by the atmosphere of the gathering. With his death, the community not only loses a highly valued dean, but also a person who stood up for the values ​​of the community and faith throughout his life. Erich Haller will not only be missed in Aalen, but will also be gratefully remembered.