Gerhard Hofbauer was for many years a functionary of the CSIT member association ASKÖ, one of the masterminds in the European Handball Federation EHF and from 1996 until the end, at the ripe old age of 82, the long-serving President of the Austrian Handball Federation. Handball was also an official sport in the CSIT as one of the most important ball sports until the end of the 90s. Gerhard enjoyed great popularity in the CSIT, was for many years the ASKÖ delegation leader at all CSIT General Assemblies and Congresses and was mentor, supporter and close friend of former CSIT President Harald Bauer, the predecessor of the current CSIT President Bruno Molea. The CSIT family express their deepest condolences to his wife, relatives, friends and companions.