“He would clean the wounds of sex workers, of people living on the streets. He would go under bridges to care for those seeking shelter there,” said activist Glorene Das, a long-time friend.
Ratthoff, 72, who died last month, “was a gentleman through and through, he had such a kind and generous heart,” she told FMT.
A trained nurse, Ratthoff moved to Malaysia three decades ago from Germany and was part of the Malaysian Aids Council. He was also active in the Ikhlas programme which provided medical care for people who lived on the streets of KL, including sex workers and drug users.
Das, who heads the Tenaganita organisation, said she first met Rotthoff in 1999, and they had worked together over the years to help vulnerable communities.
“He even provided a safe space for us to care for victims of violence two years ago. It’s called the Rainer House of Hope.”
Rotthoff’s commitment to the oppressed went beyond philanthropy, said Das. She said he was vocal on the need for victims of gender-based violence to have a safe space.
“One resident of the shelter told me that it was a tremendous blessing that she had a safe place to call home as she rebuilt her life.”
Aside from his volunteer work in Malaysia, Rotthoff also set up homes to support refugees and people living with HIV in other countries in the region.
Das said Rotthoff suffered from health complications over the years, and had surgery in February.
“He was so happy to start walking again, but sadly he suffered a cardiac arrest not long after. He was a gem of a person, I will miss him very much.”
PT Foundation chairman Hisham Hussein said Rotthoff’s arrival in Malaysia in the early 1990s was a blessing as it was difficult to find qualified volunteers to help drug users.
“He tended to the wounds of drug users. I have even seen him remove maggots from a drug user’s leg.
“He would go around (KL) religiously to provide treatment to all these people, he would even look for them in alleys.”
Hisham said he will remember Rotthoff as a “doctor” in the community.
“Only God knows how many people he has helped.”