Martin Pötzinger

Martin Pötzinger (25 July, 1904 - 16 June, 1988) was a German Jehovah's Witness who filled various offices in the denomination during his lifetime, including the one of being a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1977 until his death. During the Nazi era, both he and his wife Gertrud were interned in concentration camps for their faith.

Born in München, he was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses (in that time known as International Bible Students) in 1928. He became a full-time-preacher and worked in Bulgaria, Hungary and Yugoslavia.

In 1936, he and his wife Gertrud married. The same year they were arrested and became punished in several prisons and camps. At least, Martin was sent to a camp in Austria where the prisoners were met with rude treatment and torture. After spending nine years as prisoners, they were finally released in 1945, free to continue their religious work.

In 1958 he went through the Gilead school. Later he served in Germany. In the end of the 70's, he was appointed as one of the members of the Governing Body. He and Gertrud then went to the international office in New York.

Source: "Watchtower" 1988, 15 September