O BIT UA RI E S Thomas Hanbo F ormer FIDI Board member Thomas Hanbo died on 5 January, a few days after his 76th birthday. Having studied law in Stockholm, Thomas worked in leadership roles in transport companies including Autotransit, P&O and Swedish rail (SJ), before joining Swedish mover ICM. He served on the boards of several transport companies and was involved in local politics, too. He joined FIDIs Board at the 2006 Beijing conference and remained until Boston 2012. According to past FIDI President Ernst Joerg, as Treasurer he had a key role in defining the financial metrics for mandatory auditing. It was a privilege to work with Thomas and I really valued his friendship, financial expertise, team spirit, loyalty and hard work, said Joerg. He was instrumental in keeping FIDIs finances in good shape and kept a sharp eye on the federations expenses. He also had a great, dry sense of humour, which made it fun to spend time with him. Thomas, on behalf of FIDI, thank you for everything and may you rest in peace. Tributes have been paid from across the industry, including those who served with Thomas on the FIDI Board. Al Mithal, of Star Worldwide Group, said his friend had served FIDI admirably through some turbulent times. Eric Lim, Chairman at Asian Tigers KC Dat, said: He was a personal friend. By his untimely passing, our industry has lost another of its most able leaders. Thomas served on the board of UTS International, now Harmony Relocation, for 10 years from 1999, with a year as its Chairman. Current Managing Director Paul Bernardt said Thomas brought a wealth of experience from other industries and played an important part in the development of the global network and the establishment of a new governance structure at that time. Thomas is survived by his wife, Kicki, and daughter, Mia (Maria). Viktor Bondarenko Prominent industry figure and founder of Interdean Viktor Bondarenko died in December at the age of 92. Born in Ukraine in 1929, Viktor founded Dean Van Lines in Germany 1959 and grew the company to approximately 50 European offices, providing services to clients including the US military and many 84 international corporate clients. The company rebranded to Interdean in 1967 and sold to Legal and General in 1999. It is now part of Santa Fe. Andreas von Strachwitz, Vice President EMEA at Weichert, said Viktor was one of the industrys distinctive characters. Viktor was a unique, impressive, charismatic and generous leader, he said. He was a passionate pilot and travelled around the world in his own plane to visit offices. He loved soccer and was close to FC Bayern Munich, calling former German soccer stars such as Franz Beckenbauer and Paul Breitner his friends. His Christmas parties in the Kfers took place on his birthday on December 18 in Munich every year and were legendary. All our European managers and their families were invited. As a Ukrainian chess master, he also had a brain like a computer and could remember numbers and names forever. Whenever he visited the Frankfurt office, he knew the names of every employee including the packers, drivers and warehouse manager. Ian Brown UK-based Robinsons Relocation has announced the death of Ian Brown after a short illness. He had worked at the companys Redditch headquarters since 1994, having previously been Brand Manager at Pickfords Luton and Watford branches. Managing Director Anthony Robinson said: We will all miss him more than words can express. He was not just an employee but a mentor, wise counsellor, and friend to everyone.