Walter Kieber obit

Kieber, Walter (1931–2014)

 

He was not on the list.

Head of Government. February 20, 1931 Feldkirch, † June 21, 2014 Vaduz, from Schellenberg, resident of Schaan. Son of the federal railway official Alfons and Elisabeth, née Brandauer. ⚭  April 16, 1959 Selma Ritter (*September 10, 1934), daughter of the sports pioneer Hans Ritter , two children.

1937–1941 Elementary school and 1941–1950 Gymnasium (secondary school) in Bregenz, 1950–1954 Studied law in Innsbruck, 1954 Dr. iur. 1955–1959 Lawyer at the law firm of Ludwig Marxer, Vaduz (→ Marxer & Partner , Lawyers), 1959–1965 Head of the Legal Department of the Liechtenstein Government, 1965–1970 Head of the Presidential Office, 1969 Secretary General of the Government.

From 1970 to 1974, Kieber served as Deputy Prime Minister (FBP) with responsibility for the Interior, Justice, Health, and Transport portfolios. From 1974 to 1978, he was Prime Minister with responsibility for the Presidency, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Construction, and Agriculture and Forestry. During this time, he introduced divorce and civil marriage (1974), Liechtenstein applied to the Council of Europe for full membership (1977), and revised the postal agreement with Switzerland (1978). Kieber was one of the chairpersons of the CSCE Summit in Helsinki in 1975. Following the FBP's electoral defeat in 1978, and in light of important pending issues such as negotiations with Switzerland on a currency treaty and reform of company law, Kieber remained in the government as Deputy Prime Minister until 1980 at the request of Prince Franz Josef II. He headed the departments of economy, justice, transport, and youth and sport.

1981–1999 Partner at the Marxer law firm, Vaduz. 1993 Co-founder of Centrum Bank AG, Vaduz, and 1993–2001 member of the board of directors of Centrum Bank AG. From 2001 partner at the Kieber & Nuener law firm, attorneys at law, Vaduz. 1992–1997 President of the Liechtenstein Bar Association, various publications on legal topics.

In 2006, Kieber published an autobiography, primarily dealing with his political activities ("Years of Awakening"). He received the Commander's Cross with Star in 1971, the Grand Cross in 1975, and the Grand Cross with Diamonds in 2003 of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit. He was also awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Ribbon of the Republic of Austria in 1975 and the title of Princely Councillor of Justice in 1978.