Ernst Erich Rainer Wollmann

Ernst Erich Rainer Wollmann Rainer Wollmann, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. The only son of Walter and Elizabeth Wollmann, Rainer was born on March 31, 1927 in Berlin, Germany. Rainer came from a long line of career military generals. He was drafted into the German army at the age of 16, near the end of World War II. Following the war, in 1948-49, he worked on the Berlin Airlift helping to sustain West Berlin. Always enamored of the United States, Rainer chose to study at the University of Wisconsin before returning to Germany to begin his career in the ship building industry at Blohm+ Voss Shipyards in Hamburg, Germany where he was involved in international sales. Most weeks were spent negotiating ship sales around the globe. Highly regarding in his field, Rainer became the President of Rheinstahl Nordseewerke GmbH in Emden, German in 1969 and spent 18 years heading the company. A recognized leader in this industry, he served as President of the European Shipbuilders Association. His service to the company continued in Ontawa, Canada, until 1989, when he retired to his beloved Santa Fe home. Retirement felt premature, so he became an employee of the State of New Mexico in the Economic Development Department. There he cultivated international development for the State of New Mexico in Europe, South Africa, and Israel. It was a great joy to share the enchantment of New Mexico with his many international contacts. And he furthered international good-will as a member of the Santa Fe Council on International Relations. Rainer married the love of his life, Betty Turner, in 1969 and gained an instant family of four young boys and two family pets. They celebrated 42 years of marriage and countless international travels together. Rainer is survived by his wife, Betty Wollmann, of Santa Fe; four sons, Randall Turner and his wife Patti, of Fort Worth, Tx., Glenn Wollmann, of Houston, Tx., Fred Turner, of Espanola, N.M., and Alan Turner, and his wife Wanda, of South Glens Falls, N.Y. He has four grandchildren: Randall Wollmann Turner, Mathew Turner, Shelby Turner, and Davis Turner. He is also survived by his niece, Wibke Baier and her husband Horst, of Karlsruhe, Germany. Private memorial service pending. Donations in his memory may be made to Presbyterian Medical Services Hospice Care, 1422 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, N.M 87501.