Remembrance of Guenther Rosner
02.04.2026 |
FAIR and GSI mourn for Prof Guenther Rosner, a passionate physicist, co-founder of FAIR and relentless supporter of the FAIR project. He passed away on 21 March 2026 in the age of 77 years.
Guenther Rosner devoted his professional life early on to basic research in the fields of nuclear, hadron and medical physics. After completing studies at the university of Munich and Heidelberg, he earned separate university degrees in both physics and medicine. He then dedicated himself to basic research, working at the Max Planck Institute Heidelberg, the Argonne National Laboratory, the Technical University Munich and the University Mainz, while turning down offers of full professorships in medical-/biophysics and a position as head of a medical department.
In 1999, he accepted a call as Cargill Chair of Natural Philosophy – a prestigious award by the Royal Society of Edinburgh – and Professor of Physics at School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow. During his 12 years at Glasgow, he was a tireless advocate for the FAIR project and participation of the UK in FAIR, gathering UK’s nuclear-physics community behind the project. As the NuPECC Chair he was responsible for the 2010 Long-Range Plan defining the strategy of the European nuclear physics community, in which FAIR featured as a top priority. Following these efforts, UK joined FAIR as Associate Member in 2013.
Already in 2004, many years prior to the signing of the Convention for FAIR in 2010, Guenther joined the Working Group on Scientific and Technical Issues (STI-FAIR), which laid the groundwork for the formation of the FAIR GmbH. In 2011 he became both FAIR Research Director and Administrative Managing Director. During this time, the first major construction grant was secured, the construction site was prepared and more than 1300 60-metre-deep piles were installed to stabilise the ground. Guenther also oversaw detailed planning and initiation of construction for major accelerator and experimental components.
Guenther survived several severe medical conditions, repeatedly defying terminal diagnoses. He took great pride in having surpassed medical expectations time and again.
Alongside his many scientific and strategic achievements, Guenther was a reliable friend to many of us. He loved activities with family and friends, like skiing, which he continued until very recently.
Our heartfelt condolences go to his caring family and friends. He is deeply missed. (IL)
