Five weeks apart, with Marcelle preceding Pierre, this couple passed away, taken by illness. Joining SRSSC in 2013 after their return from China, they always demonstrated a keen and well-informed interest in all things related to China, regularly participating in our events.

The SRSSC extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marcelle and Pierre Grossenbacher.

Alex Sudan, a member of our association who knew them well during their extended stay in China, shares his testimony as a tribute:

I first met Pierre Grossenbacher during my initial expatriation to China in the autumn of 1999. When I left for Beijing, I was advised to contact Pierre, who was regarded as a great expert on China, to get guidance on my relocation and integration into this new world. The meeting with Pierre and his wife Marcelle in the Chinese capital was extraordinary! They welcomed me as if I were an old friend. They guided my first steps in this vast China, which was industrializing and prospering rapidly. They helped me so much to better understand this country that was changing so much both humanly and industrially. Pierre and Marcelle shared their network of friends in China and key figures in the economic, political, and social spheres with me.

Pierre was a visionary and a pioneer in the food packaging industry in China and Southeast Asia, establishing and developing several food carton production centers in China. He was a fatherly boss who surrounded himself with the best, often young collaborators whom he protected and guided to achieve excellence. Marcelle was his muse in life and work. Together, they developed and implemented a human resources orientation system that benefited hundreds of people. Pierre and Marcelle were a generous and close-knit couple who funded the education of several young Chinese men and women, enabling them to pursue professional careers. They had Asia in their blood and invested in China, Korea, and Thailand well beyond their retirement, which they finally took in Fribourg after more than 25 years in Asia.

Pierre has gone to join Marcelle, who left us a month ago. RIP… and hats off to these dear friends.