Three photos
We know of only three photos of Dr. Ipscher – from his later years in Wusterhausen.
His estate came to the museum in a roundabout way. Distant relatives and his landlord's granddaughter donated photos, documents, and objects they had found while cleaning up. No letters or original texts were included.
Unfortunately, there was only a vague oral tradition about his work in Wusterhausen, so our information was compiled from a variety of sources.
The objects and archives in the Wegemuseum were handed over by Hans Kanow, Inge Jerichow and Bärbel Hartwig.
Active in the veterans' association
Various sources indicate that Dr. Ipscher was a very active member of various veterans' associations.
Hindenburg, Paul von (1847-1934) / Portrait in Uniform, Based on original photographs by court photographer E. Bieber, Berlin, with a dedication by Rudolf von Horn (1866-1934), General of the Artillery and President of the Kyffhäuser League, copperplate engraving (c. 1929). (Source: Wikipedia)
Certificate of Recognition from the Veterans Association, presented in 1930. Dedicated to Comrade General Surgeon (ret.) Georg Ipscher in Wusterhausen a./Dosse in recognition and gratitude for his many years of meritorious service to the Veterans Association. Berlin, 30 November 1930. The Board of the Prussian State Veterans Association. Horn - General of the Artillery (ret.), President
June 6, 1883, she joined the Veterans Association for Wusterhausen and the surrounding area. In her will, Mrs. Ipscher left everything to her sister Hedwig—she was to pay only 100 marks to the Wusterhausen Veterans Association.
Dr. Georg Paul Ipscher - biography
Torgau - Regimental doctor from 1903 to 1910/11
A postcard with the same motif was found in an internet auction with the caption: “The Torgau armored men in parade before His Highness Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg on the occasion of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Torgau Dept. of the German Colonial Society on May 27, 1907.”
From the collection of photos from Torgau
German Colonial Society (DKG) – an influential civil society group that advocated for the Empire’s expansive colonial policy.
The up to 43,000 members mostly came from the upper middle class, but also included many representatives of large industries and major banks. The DKG published the "German Colonial Newspaper" and conducted extensive propaganda, including lectures and exhibitions. Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg was president of the Colonial Society from 1895 to 1920.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Dr Ipscher was chairman of the Torgau branch of the German Colonial Society until he left in 1910.
Obituary in a local newspaper 1935
(…) Young and old looked up with love and admiration to the Chief Medical Officer, whose life as a German and soldier meant nothing but the hard fulfillment of duty and who, even in his later years, was much, much more than just a doctor: a helper in times of need and a friend to the poor.
(...)
He served as a consultant physician to the veterans' association, the patriotic women's association, and the medical column (...), as chairman of the city savings bank, as a member of the magistrate and the community church council, and as a member of numerous associations, such as the shooting guild, the volunteer fire brigade, etc.
Obituary in a local newspaper
Full text of the obituary
Senior Physician Dr. Ipscher – Wusterhausen
Completely unexpectedly, Chief Surgeon General Dr. Ipscher joined the army on Sunday morning. The old man was just about to go to church when a stroke struck him and took him gently to his death. With him has passed away one of the most loyal and patriotic people, whose upright nature had made friends after friends during a long life of work, devotion to duty, and honor, and whose reputation as a physician extended far beyond the borders of our city.
Dr. Ipscher comes from an old Wusterhausen family. His father was also a resident physician. The deceased entered a military medical career, which took him, among other things, to Cameroon for three years. It is a testament to his loyal love for his hometown that he settled in Wusterhausen after leaving the military and opened a practice here. (Marginal note: 1922)
When the First World War broke out, he rushed back to the army to put his strength and wealth of experience in the service of his country. Long after the war, he served tirelessly as a senior physician and ultimately as senior physician general. In 1922, Dr. Ipscher returned to Wusterhausen to open his practice. Young and old looked up with love and admiration to the senior physician general, whose life as a German and soldier meant nothing but the rigorous fulfillment of his duty, and who, even in his later years, was much, much more than just a doctor: a helper in times of need and a friend of the poor. There was not one of the poor and neediest people, who often came to him in need, whose request he could refuse, and the cases are legion where, in his magnanimous generosity, he helpfully waived his fees.
As a fervent patriot, the late Chief Medical Officer held a leading position in the national movement. For many years, he led the veterans' association, the patriotic women's association, and served as a consultant physician to the medical column. It is a testament to the deceased's great love and concern for his hometown that he played a prominent role in its fortunes, whether as chairman of the city savings bank, as a member of the magistrate and the parish church council, or as a member of numerous clubs, such as the rifle club, the volunteer fire department, and others.
One of the city's most loyal and noble citizens has left us. The love and respect that the old Surgeon General earned during his long life will forever accompany him, even beyond the grave.
War Memorial - Text for the inauguration in 1931
As a city councilor, Dr. Ipscher wrote the text in the cartouche for the foundation stone of the war memorial for 1914-18, erected in 1931.
(Then follows a quote from the book “The Steel Years”, W. Beumelburg)