Key West, Florida — Bruno Asmann, Lead Product Manager for MAN Roland Inc., was killed in a private plane crash on the evening of July 30th. Asmann, a veteran skydiver and certified jumpmaster, was in route to New Smyrna Beach with three skydiving colleagues — Egon Sussmann, Piers Littleford and Krystal Koch. All four perished after their Cessna 172 went down shortly after takeoff from Key West International Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. Building on his growing reputation in the graphic arts, Asmann joined MAN Roland in October 2003 as the southern regional director of product management and was subsequently named to also cover the company’s North and South Carolina sales territory. Earlier this summer, he was asked to take on a much larger role in supporting the North American market as Lead Product Manager. “For all of us who had the opportunity to get to know Bruno, we soon discovered how passionate he was about everything that he did,” said Yves Rogivue, CEO of MAN Roland Inc. “Many of us are struggling deeply in dealing with the loss of such a great person. He certainly was a vital part of our MAN Roland family. Our hearts and prayers especially go out to his family as they deal with their tremendous loss.” A native of South Africa, Asmann spent his entire career in the graphic arts, starting as a mechanical engineering apprentice with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG in 1990. Four years later, he moved to America to become a product engineer for Heidelberg USA and subsequently was promoted to the role of product manager. “Bruno was equally passionate in his professional and personal endeavors,” said Todd Andrews, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at MAN Roland Inc. “He was a well known member of the Atlanta and Florida skydiving community. He had an infectious zeal for life and was recognized by friends, family and colleagues alike as a unique and very special person.” A native of South Africa, Asmann was 37. He is survived by a wife, two children, his parents and a brother. Donations can be made in his name to the ASPCA.