Albert Ziegler (theologian)

Ziegler was born 11 July 1927, in Zürich, Switzerland to Albert Gebhard (1893–1953) and Bertha Amalia (née Ochsner; 1889–1945). His father was employed by the Swiss Postal Service and originally hailed from Gaiserwald near St. Gallen. Ziegler's maternal great-uncle was Anton Rohner. Ziegler's great-grandfather was Gebhard Rohner. His mother was from Einsiedeln. He had two sisters. His elder sister, Bertha (1926–2021), was married to Liechtensteiner artist, sculptor and councilor Georg Malin (b. 1926).[1][2] Ziegler completed his Matura at the Disentis Abbey School. Between 1950 and 1953 he studied philosophy at the Munich School of Philosophy followed by studies in social sciences and politics at the international institute of the University of Fribourg.[3] He received his Doctorate of Philosophy from this institution. Between 1956 and 1960, Ziegler studied Theology at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.[4][5]

During his studies he took the vows as a priest. In 1966, he took vows for the last time as commitment to the Jesuit Order, which added the honoric suffix SJ to his name. He primarily was active as university chaplain while living at Akademikerhaus (aki) in Zürich. From there he also became very active in the fields of lecturer, author and editor of newspaper articles, books and film critiques.[6][7]

Later he acted as self-employed corporate consultant with topics such as work ethics. He was also a member of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences. He served as board director for the Swiss Social Archives from 1964 to 2007.[8][7]

Ziegler lived in Zürich most of his life before relocating into the Christian nursing home St. Franziskus in Menzingen. He died there 4 August 2022 aged 95.[9]