Having grown up in the 1950s in Ohl in the administrative district of Cologne, the Westphalian took his first steps into professional life after training as an industrial clerk at Ferrostaal in Essen and Münstermann GmbH. On January 2, 1974, the intralogistics company and the young, ambitious businessman met for the first time - I suppose it was love at first sight: Erke joined Clark International Marketing, where he held various positions until 1980 - most recently as Area Sales Manager for Africa and the Middle East. From 1980 to 1988, he made a foray into the world of renowned tool manufacturers, first at Ingersoll-Rand and later in sales at Belzer-Dowidat.

In September 1988, the passionate golfer moved back into intralogistics, now to industry giant SSI Schäfer. Erke worked for the Neunkirchen-based company for almost ten years as sales director and authorized signatory before the eleven-year era as managing director of the industrial truck manufacturer Crown Forklift Trucks began. It was then, at the latest, that the Logistics Golf Club and the Crown Gold Cup golf tournaments made a name for themselves - initiated by, that's right, Gerd Erke.

On April 1, 2009, he became self-employed and Gerd Erke logistics services GmbH & Co. KG was launched - well-known companies such as Schustermann & Borenstein, myTheresa, NeoLog, META Regalbau, Manz Lagertechnik and F.X. Rauscher and many others were able to benefit from the advice and action of the Munich-based company. It is fitting that in the same year the "Münchner Ratschrunde", a regulars' table in Munich's Hofbräuhaus for entrepreneurs and managers from the logistics, packaging and beverage industries and their suppliers for warehouse technology, automation and goods distribution, met for the first time and from then on four times a year. The focus here was not only on intralogistics, but also on combining entrepreneurship with social issues. "We think that if one person does something simple, but many people do a lot, we can get involved together in different areas and thus combine business acumen with a high degree of responsibility for social issues," said Gerd Erke, summarizing this important aspect of his work. The "Ratschrunde" has also flourished and grown over the years and has become a fixed date for important decision-makers in the industry.

And so the expert Erke was often enough on the road for social causes, talking, connecting and convincing the right people. As a member of BVL and the advisory board of LogiMAT, the industry also benefited from the Munich native, who, in addition to cooking and golfing, enjoyed the successes of FC Bayern Munich, traveling and spending time with his two grandchildren Luise and Ivo to the fullest in recent years. He was also proud of his two children Christina and Daniel, who were always at his side, both professionally and privately, right up to the last hour.

Gerd Erke had a relaxed relationship with the media. During the first steps of LT-manager, the premium magazine for logistics and transport, Gerd Erke was helpful and knowledgeable, before our paths crossed again in 2016 with the cookbook "Sternelogistik". The Munich-based author, together with Volker Knuff and Andrea Fellmann, asked logistics experts for a personal recipe and turned it into a wonderful cookbook. It was an honor for me to contribute a recipe and the editing. Logistics, food, drink and a network of chefs - the recipe was a success! The group met at the end of 2016 in the tranquil town of Markgröningen to present the book, and its members still have a lot to say to each other since then and maintain a lively exchange.

Gerd Erke left this world on November 9 after a long and serious illness, which he endured bravely and with patience and optimism. I and all of us will miss him greatly - as the center and hub of many networks, as an expert in intralogistics and, last but not least, as a person who often put a smile on the faces of everyone who knew him and inspired them to come up with new ideas. Rest in peace, Gerd! Martin Schrüfer

Funeral address:
Daniel Erke GmbH & Co. KG
Leonrodstraße 68
80636 Munich