André Braun

Eulogy given by the President at the Goodwood ExCo

Our President of Honour, André Braun Sr. passed away on 27 April 2001, aged 86, after a rich and fulfilled life.

Born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1915, he had to take over the running of the family firm in the third generation at the age of only 28, when his father died in the middle of the second world war.

Thanks to his untiring efforts, his wisdom and his competence, André Braun Sr. soon gained a name for himself far beyond the confines of the city and of Switzerland.

After more than 20 years service as FICPI General Treasurer he was appointed President of Honour at the World Congress in Edinburgh 1981.

André Braun Sr. always combined his professional activities with Christian values. This is why his involvement with the Church as well as his social thinking and acting were only natural and came from the heart.

André Braun Sr. often said he had had much luck in life. However, he did not rest on his good fortune, but always tried to share it with people who had fewer opportunities. Each person was important to him. He cared for people's sorrows and generously supported international charitable organisations.

However, he also took pleasure in the beautiful side of life. Thanks to the many journeys undertaken due to his professional activities he knew almost the entire world. However, at all times he remained a person who valued great friendships. With his humour and wit, which he brought into play at the most varied occasions, he cheered up many people and thus became a confidant with whom one enjoyed talking and whose advice was beneficial. Despite always keeping abreast of new developments, his philosophy of life expressed itself in his great respect for the traditional values. The "oldies" haven't done everything wrong, he used to say. So, after his death, many are grieving for a truly good friend and colleague.

Valentin Balass

Eulogy by François Héritier, Switzerland

Valentin Balass, known to all of us as "Bali" - was born in Szentes in Hungary on 11 September 1919. He studied in Zurich, when at the outbreak of the second world war Bali left Zurich to return to his family in Hungary. He was immediately conscripted into the military and loved and survived all the horrors of the war. After the war he came back to Switzerland in order to continue his studies as an engineer. He stayed in Switzerland, where, after some years as an inventor - yes, he was an inventor originally - he further studied to become a patent attorney and eventually founded his own firm, which soon enjoyed an excellent reputation. On the one hand his endeavours to achieve the best possible protection for the inventions corresponded to his perfectionism, on the other hand to his emotions, since he always remained an inventor at heart.

For many years Bali served FICPI as delegate of Switzerland and also as highly respected president of the Deontology Commission. Bali devoted all his professional life to Intellectual Property and for decades, together with his charming spouse, Iris, he was a familiar figure at most of our meetings. Only a few years ago he stepped back into the second rank and, in appreciation of his many years of outstanding services, was named Member of Honour of this Federation.

In his intelligent and roguish way Bali remained mentally extremely agile until a very old age. Even in the last years of his life he much enjoyed intensive contact with people.

His amiable personality and his ever helpful disposition made a delightly event of every visit to see him. His experiences he passed on generously and without the pursuit of his own interests to those who asked for his advice. His advice and his views were always welcome because they came from an erudite and, indeed, very wise personality. With him we lose a great professional colleague and, more than that, a dear friend, whom we will sorely miss.

On 23 July Bali suffered a heart attack while driving through the Gotthard tunnel. But with his last strength he managed to reach the end of the tunnel and to stop the car. Then he died. All help came too late.

Karl W. Flocks, R.I.P.

Eulogy by Tip Jennings, USA

Karl W. Flocks, a dedicated member of FICPI and an emeritus member of the U.S. Section, died on July 2, 2001 following a fall in his home. He was 91.

Karl's career in patent and trademark law encompassed over 70 years. He practised until the time of his death. His career began in 1930 when with his degree in mechanical engineering he joined the U.S. Patent Office as an examiner. Karl often related the fond memories he held of the beautiful Patent Office building (now the National Portrait Gallery) and, in Karl's words, of Commissioner Robertson who "carefully groomed with his white Van Dyke beard, wearing a wing collar, ascot tie, vestee, and swallow tail frock coat, greeted each of us individually at least once a week".

Karl obtained his law degree in 1933 and later established his own law firm. He joined FICPI long before the creation of the U.S. Section and felt a strong attachment towards the organisation. Indeed, his plan to depart to the FICPI "ABC" meeting in Banff, Canada was cut short by his death. His passing is a real loss to all of us in the FICPI family.

He is survived by a son and daughter and many grandchildren. His son describes him best as a man who was part artist, part scientist, and part lawyer. In addition to his being an established lawyer of high repute, Karl also had a debonair manner that appealed to all who met him.

In Karl's study in his home is a picture of Archimedes, beneath which are the words: "Give me a place where I may stand, and I will move the world". Karl has in his life moved us all and he will stand forever in the hearts of FICPI.