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Emeritus Scientific Member of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (formerly Max Planck Institute for Metals Research), Stuttgart, died Nov 6, 2019, at the age of 92.
With Hellmut Fischmeister, the Max Planck Society loses an important research personality. His work has had a decisive and fundamental influence on basic research and applied research in the field of the methodical development of new materials.
Hellmut Fischmeister first worked in industrial Swedish research laboratories before being appointed full professor at the Chalmers University in Gothenburg in 1965 and professor at the Montanuniversität in Leoben/Austria in 1975 before his scientific career led him to Stuttgart. On October 1, 1981, he was appointed Scientific Member of the Max Planck Institute for Metal Research, now the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, and Director of the Institute for Materials Science. Until his retirement in 1995, he was not only director of his department, but also of the Institute of Materials Sciences. Through his tireless commitment, scientific competence and exemplary working style, he has not only left a lasting mark on the next generation of scientists. For him, bridging the gap between basic research and industrial application was a decisive element for technical progress. His enthusiasm for science and his work for the Institute will remain unforgotten.
Due to the reunification of Germany in 1989 and his responsibility to society, he was committed and empathetic to the successful establishment of the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics in Halle/S. Through his commitment in Halle/S and in Dresden - during the establishment of a research group at the TU Dresden - he also made much respected contributions to the development of science in the new federal states. He received numerous honours for his scientific and socially relevant activities.
In gratitude, the Max Planck Society will say goodbye to Hellmut Fischmeister and honour his memory.