Sepp Forcher had many roles: he was a smelter, porter, unskilled laborer, loving husband, radio and television star, knowledge broker for an audience of millions and above all a highly educated philosopher. After his death on December 19, 2021, he leaves a void. That was noticeable on Tuesday in the Margarethenkapelle at the cemetery of the Archbishopric of St. Peter. The body of the deceased was laid out there.

Forcher’s trademark was given a special place

Countless fans, friends, acquaintances and family members came there to say goodbye to Forcher and to take off their hats to him – just as he had done in 200 television programs “Klingendes Österreich”. His hat got a special place on his simple spruce coffin.

In memory: “Requiem for Sepp Forcher”

In memory of Sepp Forcher, a “Requiem for Sepp Forcher” will be held on Wednesday, December 29th, with Archbishop Franz Lackner and Archabbot Korbinian Birnbacher. The ORF will generate the “Requiem for Sepp Forcher” on Wednesday at 2 pm, live on ORF2 and in the live stream on tvthek.ORF.at.

Long-term companions help shape things

Musically, the Requiem is designed by musicians who often died with Sepp Forcher for the ORF series “Klingendes Österreich”: “It is an honor to make music when we say goodbye”, says the musical director Martin Kiesenhofer. Franz Neger is the commentator on the broadcast, Thomas Bogensberger is responsible for the direction and Elisabeth Eisner is responsible for the editing. Due to the current situation, only invited guests can take part in the Requiem.

Forcher’s young years

Born on December 17, 1930 in Rome, Sepp Forcher was of South Tyrolean descent. He has lived in Salzburg since 1940. Here he attended elementary school, later he supported his parents in their work as hut keepers in the Tennengebirge. In 1950 he moved to Kaprun and worked there first as an unskilled worker and then with the sturgeon troops of the Tauern power plants until 1952. Until 1955, Sepp Forcher worked as a freelance porter, mountaineer and mineral seeker.

Also a legend as a host

In late autumn 1955 he took over the lease of the Berglandskiheim refuge in Grossarl. In 1956 Forcher married his Helli and Peter, their first son, was born; In 1959 their son Karl was born. Back then, Helli and Sepp Forcher were hut landlords at the Zeppezauerhaus on Untersberg near Salzburg. From 1966 to 1971 the couple ran a smeltery in Krippenbrunn am Dachstein. From there the family moved to Salzburg and took over the Platzlkeller in the center of the Salzach metropolis.

After severe strokes of fate, he became a radio and TV star

In 1976, a severe blow of fate marked the life of the Forcher family: their son Peter died in an accident, and the Forchers ended their business activities. From 1972 on, Sepp Forcher designed countless radio programs, mainly for the Salzburg state studio, but also for Tyrol and Upper Austria. When the program “Klingendes Österreich” was also created at the suggestion of ORF general director Gerd Bacher, Sepp Forcher was wanted as the presenter. After the start on June 10, 1986, the audience darling said goodbye on March 21, 2020 with the 200th broadcast. Helli Forcher ended her life on November 28, 2021. Sepp Forcher died on December 19, 2021 in Salzburg.