[RASMB] Sad news concerning Helmut Coelfen

[Kristian Schilling]

Dear community,

Antje and myself are sad to inform you that Helmut Coelfen passed away 
last night. We miss him.

For both of us, Helmut was the most important and inspiring person in 
our scientific life. We are losing not only one of the most 
distinguished scientists in the field of AUC, but also a most kind and 
special person. Helmut was one of the most positive and good natured 
fellows we have ever met.

I got to know Helmut during my PhD work at the Max Planck Institute for 
Colloids and Interfaces, at the same time when Antje started her career 
as an AUC technician in his lab. My preparative work demanded for AUC 
characterization, and Helmut introduced me to the field of AUC. He was 
not officially my instructor, but he sustainably set the direction for 
my future work. I owe him everything. We were in touch ever since, 
continuously discussing in particular instrumental advances.

Helmut was always extremely busy and hard-working. Starting from his 
studies at the University of Duisburg, while working double-shifts at 
Bayer to make his living - yet getting his degree with special awards, 
for the quality of his thesis and the short time he required. His 
further awards are countless, far more than 400 publications document 
his achievements. He must be one of the most productive scientists in 
our field, maybe globally. No wonder he was listed in the Thomson 
Reuters list of the top 100 chemists worldwide.

Helmut was humble and modest, never boastful in spite of all his 
achievements. He conveyed his enthusiasm for Analytical 
Ultracentfugation and biomineralization and was inspiring and 
encouraging for all that worked with him. A natural, authentic character 
with many facettes - one of the best scientists around and playing in 
punk rock bands since the age of 16.

When I talked to him this summer, he said the doctors had told him to 
arrange his affairs. He said he had no intention of making his exit in 
the near future; there was so much more interesting stuff to do. Even 
last Friday, on the phone, he was attending to his work at the 
university, saying he was feeling ok. We talked about next steps and 
projects. His steadfast optimism was probably his most prominent 
characteristic.


I also have nothing but good words and feelings for this extraordinary 
person. Even in the interview for the technician position, he radiated 
this confidence that he showed to everyone he met.
Working with him shaped me in various ways and I owe him a lot. He 
trusted me to work not only technically, but also scientifically with 
the analytical centrifuge and in the beautiful field of hydrodynamics. 
Through him, I was also able to get to know this wonderful community at 
conferences, where an open exchange took place and I was warmly 
welcomed. He always brought back the most difficult samples from 
biomineralization research conferences, the characterization of which 
had mostly failed. His motto was always: let's put it in the centrifuge 
and then see what we can do with the data. Many questions could be 
answered using this method. I was very impressed by his friendly manner 
and his independence. It was an honor to play bass in the band with him 
as the leading star.


Our thoughts are with his wife Steffi and his children. Our mind will be 
with Helmut constantly.

Antje Voelkel and Kristian Schilling