Flick Gocke Schaumburg pays tribute to its founding partner Rudolf Gocke

Flick Gocke Schaumburg is saddened to announce the death of one its founding partners, Rudolf Gocke, who passed away at the age of 82 on July 19, 2020.

Rudolf Gocke founded our firm together with Dr Hans Flick in 1972 and had a decisive influence on its formation. He laid the foundation for the development of Flick Gocke Schaumburg in becoming one of Germany’s leading tax-focused and interdisciplinary firms.  

“Rudolf Gocke was a unique personality who stood out not only for his entrepreneurial spirit and his ingrained passion for tax law, auditing and business succession, but also for his sense of humor and particular interest in history and music,” says Professor Thomas Rödder, Chairman of Flick Gocke Schaumburg’s Partners’ Assembly.  “His strong sense of identification with our firm was an example to us all.  We are indebted to him and will always honour his memory."

Rudolf Gocke was born in Paderborn, Germany, on September 13, 1937, and grew up in Beverungen, North Rhine-Westphalia.  He studied economics at university in both Münster and Berlin.  He studied economics in Münster and Berlin. He was publicly appointed as a tax advisor in 1967 and as an auditor in 1969.  In 1970, he met Dr Hans Flick and together, two years later, they founded our firm in Bonn-Bad Godesberg.

Rudolf Gocke was a guest lecturer at the Federal Finance Academy and a member of the International Fiscal Association.

To the end of his life, Rudolf Gocke maintained a close connection with our firm and took an active interest in its development.  He lived with his partner in Königswinter, near Bonn.