Published: 20.01.2021
Perhaps everyone knows Jindra Hojer, one of the heroes of Foglar’s “Rapid Arrows”. However, some of us may not know that this courageous boy scout was a real figure whom Jaroslav Foglar knew very well. He came from Holešovice in Prague and his name was Jindřich Hojer. What is important for our institution is that in adulthood he became a chemistry teacher. A very special chemistry teacher.
Between 1970 and 1977, Ing. Jindřich Hojer CSc. (1924–2020) was an external lecturer at the former University of Chemistry and Technology in Pardubice at the Department of Technology of Organic Substances. Participation in his attractive lectures was a prerequisite for students to complete the “Catalysis” course under the field of study Organic Technology. He worked near the university in the Research Institute of Organic Syntheses in Rybitví. He joined the institute in 1943 because at that time it was impossible for him to study his beloved chemistry. Universities were closed during the Second World War and Jindra was waiting for his opportunity. If the University of Chemistry and Technology had existed in 1945 in Pardubice, he would surely have enrolled. Unfortunately, the university had been established in Pardubice 5 years later.
In the meantime, Jindra Hojer graduated from Prague’s University of Chemistry and Technology (while being employed) and after a successful defence of his candidate’s thesis entitled “Contribution to P-xylene Production Technology” he started giving extra classes in chemistry and other scientific subjects and became an external teacher at various universities and secondary schools. As a student of the prestigious Academic Gymnasium Na Příkopech in Prague he excelled not only in chemistry but also in sport. He was one of the high achievers in the class. An interesting part of his life was when he met Jaroslav Foglar, the author of the Rapid Arrows. In Prague, he regularly visited the Sokol Gym Club, where he met his lifelong friend Václav Černý (later nicknamed Černoch in the Boy Scouts) who became a model for another member of Foglar’s Arrows—Červenáček (Red Cap).
In 1936–1940 he regularly visited Foglar’s scout group called the “2nd Prague Scouts” where he and his friends learned the traditional scouting knowledge and skills. Jaroslav Foglar (nicknamed Goshawk) was the editor of a youth magazine “Young Herald” and in the spring of 1937 he came up with the idea of immortalizing Jindra in a comic series. The “Rapid Arrows” comic was first released in 1938 and it was a huge success! To this day, there are a lot of mysteries that remain unresolved—people still wonder where Stínadla is located or who the other boys of the Rapid Arrows gang are. Unfortunately, in 1940 the Boy Scout organization was banned and everything took place behind the scenes.
Jindra Hojer renewed his contacts with Foglar again in the 1980s and after Foglar’s death, together with V. Černý they published a book in 2002 with a fitting name “Thank You Goshawk” in which they paid tribute to their model and great teacher. He also published a book with various brain teasers and puzzles the purpose of which was to support logical thinking.
He worked at the Institute in Rybitví for 43 years until retirement and as the Head of the Catalytic Laboratory helped introduce many improved methods for large-scale industrial plants. These improvements included for example the method of rosin disproportionation introduced in the national enterprise in Kralupy nad Labem, polyester fibre production in Rybitví or the synthesis of a compound that prevents rusting of metal piping introduced in Ústí nad Labem. The highlight of his professional career was the method of reactor corrosion blocking. He was every inch a chemist and was able to apply his profound knowledge and rich experience in practice. His good physical and mental fitness enabled him to remain active until old age. As a senior, he passed a state exam from German and gave extra lessons until the last years of his life.
He was known for the right scouting qualities such as veracity, fidelity, devotion, politeness and also loyalty, courage, love for others and nature and last but not least physical fitness which he maintained through athletics, hiking as well as mountaineering. In Pardubice he met his first wife Jiřina Melicharová. They married in 1948 and had one daughter Eva. His second wife was his great love from school Taisa Štolcová. They were happily married for 25.
After retirement, Jindra Hojer moved to Kosmonosy near Mladá Boleslav. At the end of his life, he returned to his beloved Pardubice, where he lived in a studio apartment in a retirement home in Dubina. Just like the other boys from the “Rapid Arrows” gang, he became a moral model for many generations of boys who have sought the true character qualities that are essential for real friendship in gangs but also in life.
Our institution prides itself on having the opportunity to be connected with the unique personality of Jindra Hojer, who will forever be in the adventurous hearts of teenage boys. Honour his memory!
Mgr. Lucie Stříbrná, Ph.D..
vice-dean of the FChT
Ing. Hana Doušová, Ph.D.
dean's office of the FChT
