The world-famous illustrator, painter and author Tomi Ungerer, born 28 November 1931 in Strasbourg, died during the night from Friday to Saturday 9  February 2019 in Cork, Ireland, at the age of 87. 

»My roots are in the Alsace and the crown of my tree is in Ireland.« The watchmaker’s son spent half his time living on a 50-hectare farm situated in the timeless landscape of southern Ireland, and the other half living in his second residence in Strasbourg, the centre of that »in-between culture« of Germany and France. There a museum was dedicated to him in 2007 and his work: »Musée Tomi Ungerer – Centre international de l'Illustration«, the first museum for a living French artist. 

Tomi Ungerer won various and prominent awards. For his commitment to German-French relations he received the »Bundesverdienstkreuz« (Cross of Merit) in 1992 and the »Prix de l’Académie de Berlin« in 2008. In 2014 president François Hollande appointed him »Commandeur de l’Ordre national du Mérite« and 2018 president Emmanuel Macron named him »Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur«. 

Diogenes mourns the passing of its most senior author. Since 1960 Tomi Ungerer’s books have been published with Diogenes, among them the autobiographical Tomi: A Childhood under the Nazis. His picture books, among them The Three Robbers and Moon Man have long since become children’s books classics. His books have sold over 17 million copies worldwide. 

Tomi Ungerer’s legacy is vast and multi-faceted. Up until his death, he had been working on the picture book Non Stop, which will be released this April. A story about friendship, trust and humanity in dark times, for adults and children alike. Also scheduled for release in 2019 is his work America with 300 pictures from Tomi Ungerer’s time in the USA.