Frank Schepke

Frank Schepke, born on April 5, 1935, in Königsberg, Germany, was a distinguished rower who represented the United Team of Germany at the 1960 Summer Olympics. His athletic prowess was evident early on, as he clinched a gold medal with the eight at the 1959 European Rowing Championships in Mâcon. Schepke's remarkable journey continued when he was part of the German eight that secured gold at the 1960 Olympics, further solidifying his status in the rowing community.

In addition to his Olympic success, Schepke showcased his talent at the 1961 European Rowing Championships in Prague, where he won another gold medal with the coxed four. His contributions to sports were recognized when he received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, the highest West German sports award, twice—in nineteen fifty-nine and nineteen sixty.

After retiring from competitive rowing in 1961, alongside his brother Kraft Schepke, Frank pursued an academic career, completing his PhD in agricultural sciences at the University of Kiel. He transitioned into a consultancy role for farmers and later founded an industrial cleaning company. At the age of fifty-five, he realized his dream of owning a farm, focusing on biologically grown produce.

In the political arena, Schepke made his mark by standing in the 1965 West German federal election for the National Democratic Party of Germany, a far-right party. He later distanced himself from the party in nineteen sixty-nine. His political aspirations continued as he ran as an independent candidate in the 2009 and 2013 German federal elections.

Frank Schepke was also known for his innovative spirit, being the initiator of a regional currency, KannWas, for Schleswig-Holstein in 2004. He passed away on April 4, 2017, in Kiel, leaving behind a legacy of athletic achievement and agricultural dedication.