Career
Hans Fehr comes from a family of clergymen and was already strongly influenced by his father's commitment to the church and society while he was still in school. After studying Protestant theology at the University of Zurich, he was ordained in 1957. He then did pastoral work for several years, first as a vicar (assistant pastor) in the parish of Zürich-Altstadt and then as pastor in the parish of Zürich-Unterstrass.
In 1971, Fehr founded the "House of the Open Door" in Zürich together with his wife Gisela. This private institution is based on Christian values and has been committed to providing care and education for homeless children and young people in need ever since. Fehr managed the institution until 1996.
In addition to his work at the "Haus zur offenen Tür", Fehr has also been active as a university lecturer and author. He has published numerous books and articles on topics such as theology, ethics, pedagogy and social issues. He has also given numerous lectures and seminars in Switzerland and abroad.
Awards and Honours
For his commitment to the "Haus zur offenen Tür" and his work as a theologian and author, Fehr has received numerous awards and honours. These include the following:
* 1991: Honorary doctorate from the University of Zürich.
* 2002: Hans A. Pestalozzi Prize of the Swiss Protestant Church.
* 2012: Zolliker Prize of the municipality of Zollikon.
* 2017: Lifetime Achievement Award of the Social Work Switzerland Foundation.
Publications (Selection)
* Fehr, Hans Adolf (1983). Menschen am Rand: Von christlicher Verantwortung im Umgang mit Benachteiligten. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.
* Fehr, Hans Adolf (1988). Haus der offenen Tür: Lebensentwürfe mit Menschen am Rand. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.
* Fehr, Hans Adolf (1996). Was mich trägt: Aus dem Leben eines engagierten Theologen und Sozialarbeiters. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.
* Fehr, Hans Adolf (2007). Hoffnung leben: Mit Kindern und Jugendlichen am Rand der Gesellschaft. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.
* Fehr, Hans Adolf (2017). Mein Weg: Rückblicke eines engagierten Theologen und Sozialarbeiters. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.
Literature
* Fehr, Gisela, & Fehr, Hans Adolf (1991). Haus zur offenen Tür: Eine Herausforderung für die Kirche. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.
* Fehr, Hans Adolf (2011). Aufruf zur Menschlichkeit: Die Geschichte des Hauses zur offenen Tür. Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich.