| Hermann Dornemann | |
 | |
| Birth: | 27 May 1893 Essen, Prussia (Rhine Province), Germany |
| Death: | 2 March 2005 Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Age: | 111 years, 279 days |
| Country: |  GER
|
| Validated | |
Hermann Dornemann (German: Dörnemann) (27 May 1893 – 2 March 2005) was a German supercentenarian who was the oldest German man ever and the oldest living person in Germany from the death of Lina Zimmer on 28 August 2004 until his own.
Biography
Hermann Dornemann was born on 27 May 1893 in Essen, district Altessen as youngest of eight siblings. The family’s house was connected to the power system when he was age 8. He was trained as an electro engineer. In World War I he was wounded by a shot in his upper arm. In 1922 he moved to Ratingen, later to Düsseldorf. In 1959 he retired. Dornemann and his wife had two children. After his wife’s death in 1984 he moved to his daughter. In 2003, his son passed away.
Being 110, Dornemann was alert but blind since five years. He expressed sadness upon not being able to see his great-grandchildren. He was aware of being one of Germanys oldest living people; however, he also mentioned it was a burden to become that old. He was convinced his family cared about him too well when he was asked about his attitude. Dornemann attributed his longevity to having a beer every day, but also avoiding sports and drinking the water of boiled potatoes, because of its vitamins.
He was also said to be the world's oldest living man since the passing of 114 year-old Fred H. Hale on 21 November 2004, what was wrong when Emiliano Mercado del Toro, born 1891, was discovered.
On 2 March 2005 Dornemann died in a hospital at age 111 years, 279 days, suffering from pneumonia. He was preceded in death by his daughter Rita, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren. New title holder was 110 year-old Frieda Müller of Potsdam.
References
- "Man darf im Leben alles, nur nicht grübeln" Die Welt. 21 November 2004
- Ein Leben in drei Jahrhunderten stern. 4 March 2005