WARM tributes have been paid to a Henley man who was killed in a motorcycle crash as he rode to work.
Paul Langguth, 56, was married with three teenage children and lived in Queen Street.
He was an accomplished rower and a member of Upper Thames Rowing Club and Henley Choral Society, through which he had made many friends.
Mr Langguth, nicknamed "The Bear", died in a pile-up involving three cars and another motorcycle on the A404 near Maidenhead on Wednesday last week.
The other biker was injured and is still in hospital but no one else was hurt. The crash, which happened during the morning rush hour, caused traffic chaos in the area as the road was closed for six hours.
Mr Langguth, an experienced motorcyclist, was on his usual journey to Westminster, where he worked as a research analyst for investment company Exane BNP Paribas.
He had been married to Tina for 22 years and they had a son, Nikolai, and two daughters, Mia and Emma.
Close friend Richard Sowter said Mr Langguth was "a wonderful father" and "larger than life".
"Paul was an amazing person who touched so many lives in such a happy way and the loss to his family is enormous," he said. "His death has affected a lot of people."
In the Seventies and Eighties, Mr Langguth represented Leander Club and won a number of competitions in Britain and Europe.In the Nineties, he moved to Upper Thames and joined a veteran four that was undefeated for four years and won world championship medals in 2005.
Peter Sutherland, president of Upper Thames Rowing club, said: “Paul was a great man in every sense of the word. He will be a great loss to his family and all who knew him.”
Mr Langguth’s other main interest was singing bass with the Henley Choral Society, of which he was treasurer.
Society chairman Chris Norris said: “Paul was a pillar of the society for many years and in all aspects - musically, financially and socially.
“He worked with great efficiency, fantastic humility and, at all times, good humour.
“The weight of feeling expressed by society members after this tragedy is indicative of the love and high regard we all had for him.”
The society’s website has messages of condolence from members.
Ginny Batchelor-Smith wrote: “Paul’s passing is a huge shock to all who knew him, not only in the choral society but also his many friends in Henley and especially his family.
“My heart goes out to them in their loss for he is irreplaceable. When such a big man is taken, he leaves a very big gap and will never be forgotten.”
Anne Jones said: “This is devastating news. Paul, we miss you terribly and thank you for all you have contributed, not just to the choir but to all those who knew you.
“Our hearts go out to Tina and the children.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash. Anyone with any information should call Taplow roads policing base on 0845 850505.
Read Paul Langguth's obituary
Published on 25 September 2009
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