Hans Hoffmeister

In the 1960s Hans Hoffmeister was considered the best water polo goalkeeper in West Germany. He earned 129 international caps for the national team from 1958-72, including competing at three Olympics in 1960, 1968 and 1972, with fourth place in 1972 the best result. Hoffmeister also competed at two European Championships, finishing seventh in both 1958 and 1966. Hoffmeister fled from the former GDR in 1953 to West Germany, where he won eight German Championships with his home club Rote Erde Hamm. He later worked as a coach and manager, first with Hamm, and later for SV Bayer Uerdingen 08. Hoffmeister was employed as a truck driver and died at age 80.