He was my “pen” when I was at Ringier, and he graduated from journalism school.
Later on, in 1977, I got Thomi on board as my deputy at Bilanz magazine. We had a German advisor at the time, Paul C. Martin, who has since passed away. Paul and I had a row one evening, after which I went to what was our local at the time, the Au, to wash down the anger with a beer or two. Paul followed me, sat down at my table and threatened to beat me up. Then Thomi came along and said to Paul: “If you go after Andreas, you’ll have to fight the two of us. So think it over carefully.” Paul left and I dismissed him that same evening. I will never forget how Thomas stood up for me without batting an eyelid and without me asking him to.
