Alfred Zweidler (1937 – 2022)

The Founding Father of the New Helvetic Society, Consul Maurice Rohrbach, passed away in late 1981.

Dr. Alfred “Fredy” Zweidler, to honor Mr. Rohrbach and his tireless involvement with the Swiss communities, proposed to the Council of the New Helvetic Society (NHS), to establish a Cultural Fund that would strengthen the cultural interaction between Swiss and Americans and it became the “Maurice Rohrbach Fund (MRF) for Cultural Exchange of the New Helvetic Society”

As President of the NHS, Fredy led the society until 1985 and then continued his involvement with the society by heading the Cultural Affaires until his relocation to Florida in 1997.

Aiming to make the Fund more visible and more attractive to the public the NHS members accepted a proposal to incorporate the Fund and applied for a Non-Profit status from the Federal Government (IRS). The MRF was granted the 501(c)(3) status on March 4, 2013.

Today, the MRF is staffed with 7 Directors under the leadership of President, Josephine Burri, and its membership includes Founder Members, Contributing Members and all active Council Members of the New Helvetic Society.

We all owe Dr. Alfred Zweidler a great amount of Thanks and Gratitude and must ensure the continuance of his great vision to connect Swiss and American Culture.

On behalf of our Members, the Directors of the MRF extend sincere condolences to the Zweidler families.

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