Obituary
BVB mourn the loss of Wolfgang de Beer
Borussia Dortmund, Germany's first European competition and Champions League winners, have won 16 'major trophies'. Wolfgang de Beer was involved in nine of those triumphs – as a first or second choice goalkeeper or as a goalkeeping coach. He kept our goal during BVB's legendary DFB-Pokal win in 1989 and was the No. 2 in Borussia Dortmund's golden era in the mid-1990s. He would have celebrated his 61st birthday on 2 January.
"You needed to be in the right place at the right time," he once said with a laugh, describing himself as a "conservative dumpling" with a consistently positive outlook on life. "I take care of my stuff, stay calm and like to make new friends, but I still have my old friends."
"Teddy" was one of the good guys. On the pitch, but above all off the pitch too. A man you could approach. Deeply grounded. With his pulse, his heart and his full attention always very close to the people, a good and positive listener. Somebody you always wanted to have around you.
"Teddy" was passionately active for the club of his heart until the very end – in the Fan Affairs Department. Always in close contact with those who had given him so much during his career. And to whom he gave so much.
Wolfgang "Teddy" de Beer passed away on 30 December 2024. Far too soon. The Borussia family are shocked and deeply saddened. We will all always honour his memory.