– St. Cloud exchange student fostering connections a decade after death
– St. Cloud exchange student still fostering connections after passing away a decade ago.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
On a sunny afternoon in St. Cloud, amidst the cheerful sounds of a music festival at Lake George, a group of about two dozen people gathered at City Hall for a more solemn occasion. It was the 10-year anniversary of a tragic event that shook their lives to the core – the untimely death of German exchange student Alexander Voigt in a fiery plane crash just five days before he was due to return home.
The loss of the adventurous 16-year-old left those who knew him devastated. However, it also forged lasting connections that transcend time and distance, bringing together individuals from different generations and continents.
Reflecting on the past decade, Voigt’s father, Yorck Jetter, expressed gratitude for the extended family they have gained since the tragedy. “We’ve had an enlarged family ever since, and there are those we consider friends even though we don’t see each other very much,” Jetter shared.
The Life of Alexander Voigt
Alex “Sascha” Voigt was in St. Cloud as an international exchange student with Youth For Understanding during the 2013-2014 school year. He was staying with St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, a seasoned traveler who had hosted five other exchange students before Voigt.
In the final days of his Minnesota adventure, Voigt had explored the scenic North Shore, said his goodbyes at a farewell party, and embarked on a fateful plane ride with commercial pilot Scott Olson to capture aerial photos. Tragically, the flight ended in a crash in Sauk Rapids, claiming both their lives.
As Voigt’s family marked the 10-year milestone of his passing, they returned to central Minnesota to reconnect with those who had known him during his time in the US. “It’s very symbolic. Ten years just feels different,” Jetter remarked.
Building Lasting Connections
Ken and Sharron Ring, who had hosted Jetter as a foreign exchange student in 1979, considered him family and maintained a bond with him over the years. Recalling Voigt’s visit to their farm as a child, Sharron fondly remembered his enthusiasm for tractor rides and Easter egg hunts.
Voigt’s impact on those who knew him during his time at Technical High School was profound. Former classmates described him as a “positive goofball” who radiated kindness and adventure, bringing people together and creating lasting friendships.
A Legacy of Friendship and Remembrance
Despite his untimely departure, Voigt’s memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew him. His family’s visits to St. Cloud over the years, along with gestures such as dedicating a bench along the Mississippi River, serve as tributes to his enduring spirit.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis reflected on the lasting impact of Voigt’s presence in his life, noting that the young student’s joy for life and thirst for new experiences continue to inspire those who knew him. Though his time on earth was brief, Voigt’s legacy endures through the connections and memories he left behind.
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– long-tailed St. Cloud exchange student connections
– St. Cloud exchange student fostering connections after death.