Erika Pohl-Ströher

Erika Pohl-Ströher (18 January 1919 – 18 December 2016) was a German business executive, heiress, and collector of minerals and German folk art. She was resident in Switzerland for much of her life.

Life

Pohl-Stroher was born on 18 January 1919 in Wurzen in Saxony, East Germany and grew up in Rothenkirchen in Vogtland.

She studied chemistry and biology at the University of Jena and received a doctorate in biology. She died on 18 December 2016 at the age of 97.

Pohl-Ströher was also known for her collection of minerals, which she acquired over sixty years. She permanently loaned her collection to TU Bergakademie Freiberg in 2004, and part of the collection was put on public display at the Terra Mineralia museum in Freiberg, Saxony, in 2008. The collection is known particularly for its crystals. Pohl-Ströher received a number of geosciences award, including the Stein im Brett by the Association of German Geologists and an honorary doctorate from TU Bergakademie Freiberg's Faculty for Geosciences, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining.

The mineral was named in her honour in 2010.