Who is Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief and what is their importance?

Hans Hubermann is an angelic figure in the story. He is Liesel's kindly foster father who is able to sooth Liesel's scared and restless spirit. Although not a good reader, he teaches Liesel the fundamentals of reading: she goes on to use reading and writing as her art and refuge. Hans is empathetic to Jews and those who are targeted by the Nazi party. Hans represents the heroic kindness of the human spirit.