City bids farewell to volunteer coordinator Rainer Howestädt

The city of Bocholt has retired Rainer Howestädt on 1 January 2026 after more than 40 years of service. As a long-standing volunteer coordinator, he was a central point of contact for Bocholt's associations. His work was particularly characterised by the promotion of civic engagement in the city.

Rainer Howestädt joined Bocholt City Council on 1 September 1985 as a trainee city inspector. After completing his studies at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration and successfully passing the civil service examination in 1988, he worked for many years in the social services department.

A significant milestone in his career was when he took over the position for strategic volunteer support in October 2012. In this role, Howestädt laid the foundation for the targeted support of volunteering in the city of Bocholt, which ultimately led to the founding of the Bocholt Volunteer Agency in February 2014. "He accompanied the establishment of this organisation from the very beginning and played a decisive role in shaping its orientation and profile as a central contact point for committed citizens, for which we are also very grateful to him", says Bocholt's First City Councillor Björn Volmering.

As Bocholt's volunteer coordinator, Howestädt became an important interface between the administration and the numerous volunteers in Bocholt's associations. He supported committed citizens in the realisation of their projects and promoted networking within the city society. Through his work in the volunteer agency, he created structures that sustainably strengthened civic engagement in Bocholt.

His retirement marks the end of a career in public service that has spanned over four decades. The city administration of Bocholt would like to thank Rainer Howestädt for his many years of loyalty and reliable commitment in the various departments. "We wish Mr Howestädt all the best for the new phase of his life", said Volmering.