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Thomas Doerflein
Thomas Doerflein
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Thomas Doerflein Obituary
A spokeswoman for Berlin police said Thomas Doerflein was dead when authorities arrived at the apartment and that they had no information on the cause of death.
Doerflein was 44 years old.
He gained fame in Germany and beyond as the ever-present caretaker for Knut, a polar bear cub abandoned by his mother in late 2006.
Knut became a worldwide sensation when the Berlin Zoo decided to raise him by hand, and Doerflein was there for every stage of the bear's progress.
With his burly build, beard and ponytail, Doerflein was a distinctive figure at the side of the growing bear. He nursed young Knut in his arms behind closed doors and wrestled with him after the bear grew old enough to play. When Knut made his public debut in March 2007, Doerflein was at his side. They started a daily performance for the thousands of visitors who flocked to see the bear at his outdoor enclosure.
But the 'Knut show' ended in July of that year when the zoo's director ruled that the bear had grown too large for Doerflein to frolic with it in safety.
The boisterous bear now weighs more than 265 pounds (120 kilograms), has his own feature-length film, blog and TV show. He has graced the cover of German Vanity Fair and appeared on a set of stamps.
The Berlin Zoo credited Knut with a 27 percent increase in visitors in 2007 and profits of nearly euro6.8 million (US$9.9 million). It has licensing agreements for all kinds of Knut products, including stuffed animals, T-shirts, mugs and DVDs.
Last November Doerflein was awarded Berlin's medal of merit for his service to the city - and to Knut.
Doerflein worked at the zoo for more than 25 years. According to the newspaper Die Welt, Doerflein was a Berlin native with two grown children. He lived with his girlfriend and her young son.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
238 Entries
Pauline
January 2, 2023
Thinking of your loving spirit on this rainy day. Rest in peace.
June 30, 2019
Rest in pace together for always you and your friend knot.
Daniela DANIELA
June 23, 2019
Domenica 7 luglio '19 ore 08,00 italiane, chi vuole può unirsi in preghiera per Thomas. Un dolce pensiero a Knut. L'amore donato non è mai perso ❤
Erica
February 12, 2019
Rest in Paradise, Sir Thomas with your Beloved Sweet Knut. Nobody can ever separate the two of you now.
How you can show support
Melissa
February 7, 2019
Rest In Peace , wonderful man your love for the animals was extremely important and touching!
Keitha Prairie
February 18, 2018
Still moving to see Thomas and Knut's special bond.
RIP.
Shafiqa M.
April 28, 2016
Dear Thomas, you have been and will remain an inspiration! (Aalborg, Denmark)
Barbara
December 31, 2015
Rest in peace, always together.
Barbara
December 23, 2014
Thomas and Knut... never forgotten.
Sabtina Joned
November 30, 2014
MayGod. Bless. Thomas kindness love.g
Margaret Bubenik
October 31, 2014
My condolences to Thomas's Family, May He Rest
In Peace.
October 20, 2014
Thank you Thomas for your dedication to Knut and showing us what LOVE is! May god bless you both and I know that your wandering the kingdom of God with your best friend...Knut! May your light continue to shine bright for the world to see!
Annika
January 29, 2014
Danke euch Beiden. Ihr seid unvergessen in unseren Herzen
Silke
January 6, 2014
Für Euch zünde ich eine Kerze an,sie soll niemals erlöschen.
Barbara
December 13, 2013
Thomas and Knut you are the brightest stars in the Christmas sky. God bless you.
Haydee Rodriguez
October 9, 2013
May you both rest in peace -- and frolick in the ever after. Thank you for touching our lives with so much innocence and love. It eases the world's loss somewhat.
marianela rodriguez
July 8, 2013
you fell from heaven Thomas...descansa en paz
Edgar Bautista
April 28, 2013
One cant help but feel sadness and joy ... Mixed emotions when thinking about his short life but how amazingly kind he was. Such a grace, such a high devotion and unconditional offering of love help me not lose hope in human kind.
World needs more people like you.
Gonnard Monique
March 30, 2013
Thomas Knut une merveilleuse histoire. Les pleurs sont toujours là lorsque nous repensons à ces 2 êtres fabuleux.
Andrey
December 24, 2012
what a pity that such people leave this world so early may God bless you Thomas
Barbara
March 27, 2012
Thomas was an extraordinary man with a heart full of love. Lucky his family, friends and all the persons who met him, including his wonderful and sweet bear. Thomas is living in Heaven together and forever with his Knut who reached him last year, on March 19 (it happens to be that March 19 is Father's Day in Italy). God bless Thomas and Knut.
Svend-Uwe Weber
March 18, 2012
"Niemals geht man so ganz."
Thomas Dörflein, Du warst der Fels in der Brandung und ein Geschenk Gottes an die Menschen und an Knut.
Ich ziehe meinen Hut vor Dir.
Christina Salyers
January 8, 2012
Thomas you were one of a kind. I cry looking back at the pics of you and knut. You were truly a special man with a wonderful heart. God bless you and knut & I pray you 2 are together in heaven.
Adrienne Vallance
December 9, 2011
God Bless Thomas and Knut. Thomas was the embodiment of the best that humankind has to offer to this world and all of its inhabitants. Although it is terribly sad that Thomas' life was cut tragically short, I can't help but feel happy that Thomas was there for Knut and the world. They were so lucky to have one another and we were so lucky to have them. Thank you for your tireless dedication to your little cub and to the all the animals you cared for at the Berlin Zoo.
freda & don avelis
June 21, 2011
We will truly miss you Thomas and Knut. You are both in a better place. In heaven Knut and you will be happily reunited as you both were at the zoo. We love you Thomas and Knut. God bless.
Dale-Lee Vezina
April 21, 2011
I wished I had known you Thomas and Knut... my heart is broken to know you have left us. My thoughts and prayers to your family and loved ones. They say animals don't have emotions but Knut clearly missed his Papa. Two beautiful spirits XOXO
Ulla H
March 29, 2011
Jetzt seid Ihr Zwei wieder zusammen. Ihr bleibt unvergessen und wir vermissen Euch!
Ulla H
March 29, 2011
Jetzt seid Ihr Zwei wieder zusammen! Ihr bleibt unvergessen!!!
michael C
March 29, 2011
I will never forget this story. Thomas' obvious love for Knut will be never forgotten. You are with your friend again.
Hans Vinck
March 26, 2011
I cannot say, how sad I am about Thomas and Knut; I cannot imagine, that they are both gone now.
This beautiful story ended so sadly for both. I hope that Thomas and Knut are reunited in heaven.
Both of you gave the world so much, we will allways remember you. I hope that you both rest in peace now. God bless you, Thomas and Knut
Gabi
March 24, 2011
Thomas, after all this time, you are still greatly missed.
Curt H
March 24, 2011
Thank you both for giving us the innocence we lose as kids. Though I never had an opportunity to see Knut I feel as though I knew him for a lifetime. Thank you so much for all that you did for the world
Wendy M Morales
March 22, 2011
May you rest in peace beautiful Thomas and Knut.....you've touched my heart ....u r both together now playing in the universe.....
Erin K
March 22, 2011
Beautiful bear and keeper.
Jeanne Boon
March 22, 2011
Knut and Thomas may you both rest in peace together now, knowing that you gave so much pleasure to so many people of the world. Memories are forever... for which I thank you both!!
Martin B
March 22, 2011
jemanden zu verlieren.
ist immer schwierig.
Ich habe vor kurzem meine Katze verlorlen
sah aus wie eine Katze
sondern war ein Labrador mit Katzen-Kleider
war gehorsam
had sich hingesetzt und
gab mir seine Pfote, wenn ich gefragte
Es bleibt nur Leere.
Ich weiß wie du dich fühlst
Stärke
Es erinnert mich ein Lied von Reihard
May , Der alte Bär
Knut war nicht alt, aber es gibt das Gefühl
Es tut mir leid
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Martin.
K Coleman
March 22, 2011
My family was devastated to hear of Thomas's death. And now Knut's. Both Thomas and Knut were special, Knut missed his friend. They are together again playing amongst the stars. We won't forget either of you, you two defined love and devotion. May peace be with both of you, you two will never be forgotten.
Michelle Gregg
March 21, 2011
Such sad news that Knut has passed from this earth at only 4 years old - and Thomas lived only to 44. Despite the sadness I feel joy that Knut and Thomas are reunited now. We will always miss them both - may they rest forever in peace. We love you Knut and Thomas.
Aurora Maestri
March 20, 2011
ora spero che tu e Knut siate insieme e che finalmente possiate essere in pace. Aurora
Richard Prins
March 20, 2011
God Bless Thomas and Knut.
charlotte bakker
March 19, 2011
19.03.2011 Knut and Thomas are reunited in heaven. In your short life of only 4 years you have conquered the hearts of many people who visited you in the zoo. May you have found peace with thomas.
Karen Jeansonne
October 28, 2010
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. We all have to thank him for his passion in his job and the great work he did with Knut!!!
martine
September 25, 2010
we'll never forget you
Jan
September 25, 2010
God Bless you Thomas. I know that you are continuing to care for the animals of the world and keeping a watchful eye on your Knut.
Gabi
September 22, 2010
In our hearts - forever.
Marie Full
September 22, 2010
Thomas, you will never be forgotten.
JOAN RUNE FRANS
June 25, 2010
THOMAS DORFLEIN
I MIS SO YOU ARE GOOD
TO KNUT XXXX JOAN RUNE FRANS
charlotte nakker
June 20, 2010
True angels never die...They only cry for all the injustice on this earth.
Thomas, I am sure that you are looking from above to watch over you polar bear and know he's doing ok.
charlotte Bakker
June 16, 2010
Sun doesn't rise anymore(song of the heavy metal band Mushroomhead)....
Charlotte Bakker
June 16, 2010
Sun doesn't rise anymore(song of the heavy metal band Mushroomhead)....
Susanne Lockford
May 27, 2010
I just finished watching the film "Knut and Friends". I was
so sad to see the words at the end of the movie "In memory of Thomas Doerflein". You shall be missed, even by those who never met you.
Eva Gregory
May 6, 2010
Thomas Dorflein will always be my hero.
He brought love and magic back into my heart. He will remain part of Knut and Zoo Berlin forever
Charlotte Bakker
April 19, 2010
Thomas, I wished you were still among us so that you could have seen how Knut and Gianna are playing together. Things will never be the same again. We still do miss you and always will.
charlotte bakker
April 18, 2010
April 19th 2010 The only things that we have got to do with are the websites and the videos on youtube.com but this is better than nothing at all brings back some good memories
charlotte bakker
April 18, 2010
April 19th 2010 The only things that we have got to do with are the websites and the videos on youtube.com but this is better than nothing at all brings back some good memories
Mark Adamson
January 21, 2010
Amazing man, I believe he passed due to a broken heart. What he accomplished in his life won't be duplicated anytime soon. I've been reluctant to address this since it happened. But after seeing "Knut" again it was unavoidable. My hero. . .
Charlotte Bakker
January 13, 2010
January 13th.2010 We saw the broadcast of the polar bear and his keeper on tv on Dec. 24th. It has brought back some good memories and this is what we need to dwell on. It might ease the pain a bit in one or another way. But the fact is there: he is not anymore among us. And this hurts more!
Patricia Gray
January 4, 2010
It is a new year, 2010, and I just finished watching the video of Knute. I had never heard of this story before and found it amazing! And then at the end of the video it said "In memory of Thomas Dorflein" I was shocked and immediately began crying. This world is ever so changing and not for the good. When you see the goodness of man, of A man, it gives us all hope. But when they leave this world unexpectedly you realize how SPECIAL life and love is and how the soul of one man can inspire you. Thank you Thomas Dorflein.
January 2, 2010
I just watched the film about Thomas and Knut with my grandsons and my daughter in law. We were captivated by the relationship between Thomas and Knut. We were stunned to see that the film was made in Thomas's memory. Although we are saddened by Thomas's passsing, we are inspired by what he accomplished with such great love. Pat, Wendy, Marshall and Landon
Laura
December 28, 2009
I just became aquainted with Knut today, by pure accident, on YOUTUBE ... but I am SO glad I did! Thomas gave his whole heart and soul to Knut, you could see that in the videos, and I'm sure Knut misses him terribly! This is very sad, I sat here and cried when I watched a video of Knut and Thomas .... the two hearts became one, you could see they loved each other very much ... RIP Thomas ....
Sara Knight
December 17, 2009
I watched the movie Knut a month ago. When the credits rolled and my husband and I saw: "In Memory of Thomas Doerflein" we were shocked and totally devastated. Straight to Google we went. It has been hard for us to think about Thomas since then and not cry. We can not imagine how those who knew and loved Thomas, most certainly including Knut, must feel. Total unselfish love. Our hearts are SO very sad that Thomas is gone. Thru the gift of salvation from the good Lord, my husband and I hope to have the pleasure of some day meeting you Thomas Doerflein.
Mette Hansen
December 16, 2009
Just saw the documentary with Knut and Thomas again. How sad Thomas is not around anymore. Hope you have some other animals to care of where ever you are Thomas. You truly had a way with Knut. RIP.
April otineru
November 27, 2009
this is such a sad story i read a bio on him and knut and tears came to my eyes, mostly for knut; animals have feelings and i hope this dosnt sound to wierd, but to think that knut will never see his father and will wonder about why he isnt around. but what Thomas Doerflein Did was a Beautiful and wonderful thing
September 28, 2009
Sept, 28 2009 A year has been passed and still with unbelief. It is hard to understand and to accept that you are not anymore there. But people have not forgotten about you. In Berlin zoo flowers and remembrances were put on the place where Knut lives.
Charlotte Bakker
September 28, 2009
Sept, 28 2009 A year has been passed and still with unbelief. It is hard to understand and to accept that you are not anymore there. But people have not forgotten about you. In Berlin zoo flowers and remembrances were put on the place where Knut lives.
Louise
August 31, 2009
Dearest Thomas, to me you will always be one of lifes rare heroes! I was truly saddened to hear of your passing, I believe that we have lost a great man. Rest in peace Thomas, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. xxx
jane roe
August 31, 2009
just watched knut &friends, and know that you are among a special, and rare type of person that only comes along once in a lifetime. rest peacefully.
Nicki
August 30, 2009
I was so upset to hear of your passing. What you did for Knut was absolutely amazing, I followed all the news about his progress and you did yourself so proud. I hope others can follow your example.
Rest in peace Thomas, you will never be forgotten. xx
Flora
August 22, 2009
Hi Thomas, you are always on my mind. Hope you can rest in peace and proud of youurself cos you have done the greatest job ever during your life, by taking care of Knut. Miss you always.
Charlotte Bakker
May 2, 2009
May 02 2009 Gone but not forgotten
natascha manos /germany
May 2, 2009
natascha manos /germany
May 2, 2009
natascha manos
May 2, 2009
dear thomas rest in peace
April 15, 2009
charlotte bakker
March 22, 2009
Never delay things lin life. What you can do today, you should do it now and not tomorrow, because nobody knows what will be then. I am sure there are people who regret it to have never gotten to know him personally. I wish I could!
Charlotte bakker
March 18, 2009
On this crowded earth with nearly 7.5 billion people real friends are seldom and difficult to be found. If you have a good friend, keep him in honour. Do not turn him down, you might need his help one day just as much as he might need yours.
Charlotte Bakker
March 17, 2009
God has never promised us a rosegarden. Sometimes you have to fight for things in life in order to gain success. But it is still hard to live with the injustice that you had to go too young but on the other side you are still watching the bear
Hella from Estland
January 17, 2009
Mr. Doerflein, you will always living in our hearts.We always looked the TV and Knut.Thank You giving this life to Knut.
Charlotte Bakker
January 13, 2009
It is now almost 4 months ago that you passed away but the longer the time passes on, the bigger the gap gets and the more you are sadly being missed by many people all over the whole world. You have already become a phenomenon Diana
Charlotte Bakker
December 27, 2008
It is a shame that my husband and I never got to know you personally.
We were in Berlin this Christmas and visited the grave in Spandau. Sadness nothing about sadness about the loss of such a young life.
Ana Herrera
December 16, 2008
God has blessed us all with a person such as Thomas Doerflein. He is our example to be kinder to our world and appreciate what God has given us. May his family find comfort in that he was an angel living on earth asked to go back home. Thank you Thomas for giving us Knut.
Robin Goldberg
November 15, 2008
My son and I had a picture of you and Knut on our refrigerator for months and month, to remind us of those who really care about things other than themselves. I'm so saddened by your death. You are blessed.
Michael Herwig
October 22, 2008
Dear Thomas,
I only watched the DW program on you and little Knut today. I was deeply saddened by the footnote anouncing your death in September 2008. May God truely bless you for the loving unselfish devotion you have shown as Knut's adoptive father. May your life be an example and inspiration to others to carry on this good work. RIP
Deepanwita Dasgupta
October 22, 2008
Dear Thomas,
Thank you for giving Knut a chance to live. Thank you for your work. We shall always remember you. May you rest in peace.
james donovan
October 22, 2008
God bless you for raising knut. Rest in peace sir.
Gisela Borgaard
October 11, 2008
Wir werden Dich nie vergessen!
christine hitchens
October 5, 2008
god bless you thomas an angel with the animals and polar bears in heaven a great light shines from the sky above R I P
Leanne Watson
October 5, 2008
Thomas: I'd like to thank you for all that you did for Knut - a unique and challenging experience indeed, and together you became known all over the world. In Knut I will always remember you. May you rest in peace. My sincere condolences to all those you touched.
Gurdip Singh
October 2, 2008
My deepest condolences to all staff at the Berlin Zoo. May God bless Thomas Doerflein and may he rest in peace for all the good that he has done. He raised Knut the way no other man could.
Marcos Silva
October 2, 2008
Nunca te vi, sempre de amei...não é somente nome de filme. Você foi um entre milhões.
Pessoas como você, poucas, infelizmente, trazem ternura e doçura ao mundo.
até um dia, amigo!
Marcos.
SP, Brasil
Anamaria Ramos
October 2, 2008
Que pena, querido Thomas! O mundo certamente ficou mais pobre com sua ausência.
Que Deus cuide muito de você!!
Marion Lanners
October 2, 2008
Wir trauern mit der Familie um einen guten Menschen.
Thomas and Daniella at medal ceremony
Elaine Maddox
October 1, 2008
My sincerest sympathy to his family, partner and her son. We share your loss and mourn with you.
Elaine
Jan Roeg
September 30, 2008
I was shocked & saddened to hear of the passing of Thomas Doerflein. My thoughts & prayers are with his family & close friends.
RIP Thomas, you were & are 1 in a million! We will never forget your dear heart & compassion.
With deepest sympathy,
Jan Roeg
To Thomas from Tippy
Natascha Manos
September 30, 2008
Ruhe in Frieden Thomas Dörflein
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