30. October 2013 11:10
Professor Eugen Seibold, 1918 - 2013
Professor Pär Omling, President, and Martin Hynes, Chief Executive, together with the ESF staff, are deeply saddened by the news that Professor Eugen Seibold, former President of the European Science Foundation from 1985 to 1990, passed away on 23 October 2013, in Freiburg, Germany.
Professor Seibold, President of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft from 1980 to 1985, the largest ESF Member Organisation, was elected as President of the ESF at the annual Assembly in 1984. Eugen Seibold was first and foremost a passionate marine geologist, and as President of the ESF, during an era of both global and European change, he was a visionary who saw the implications these changes could have on European science. He transmitted his commitment to European science and his optimism to those around him, and presided over the meetings of ESF’s governing bodies with the strength and enthusiasm that characterised him so well. During his Presidency, Eugen Seibold placed great importance and emphasis on the need to attract young scientists so that European research would grow, as well as on the need for excellent communication and information through cooperation and common publications. Eugen Seibold saw the importance of strengthening interdisciplinary research and identifying new endeavours that would benefit from a cooperative approach.
Eugen Seibold left his mark on the ESF Office also as an innate teacher – he gave his time to the staff, on occasions leading field trips to his favourite geological sites around Alsace, where he was able to share his profound knowledge with a captive and grateful audience.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Ilse Seibold, a well-known and warm figure who often accompanied her husband on his trips to the ESF office in Strasbourg, and his daughter, Dr. Ursula Seibold-Bultmann. They are in our thoughts as we remember our former President with the greatest respect and affection.
