1933 to 1936, he served as President of the International Youth Hostelling Association (now Hostelling International), before the Government of Nazi Germany forced him to resign and the hostels were put under control of the Hitler Youth. After World War II, he worked on the rebuilding of the German association, for which he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz) in 1952. In 1946, he was flown to the International Youth Hostel Conference in Scotland by an American friend on a private plane, making him the first German civilian to enter British territory after World War II. Beginning in 1937, he lived in Grävenwiesbach, Taunus where he died in 1961. Personal life Schirrmann married Gertrud in 1903. They had one daughter but Gertrud did not support Richard's plan and they divorced in 1929. He then married Elisabeth, who shared his passions. By 1942, she gave birth to 6 children. References 1874 births 1961 deaths People from Braniewo County People from the Province of Prussia 20th-century German educators German Army personnel of World War I Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Youth hostelling Participants of the Christmas truce of 1915