Hans Theodor Auerbach ✝

We extend our sincere condolences to his family and to all who have met him during his time at ETH Zurich and appreciated working with him.

The memorial service took place within the family circle.

external page Obituary by ETH Zurich in Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Obituary Prof. Dr. Hans Theodor Auerbach

Hans Theodor Auerbach pursued his undergraduate and doctoral studies in physics from 1946 to 1954 at the University of Rochester. The following years he spent at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he worked in the field of reactor theory, before he moved in 1960 to Switzerland, to the Federal Institute for Reactor Research. In 1969, he transferred to the Institute of Reactor Technology at ETH Zurich, where he completed his habilitation in 1971 and was awarded the title of Professor in 1978, in recognition of his services at ETH Zurich and as head of the Section of Theory and Numerics at the Institute of Reactor Technology. After a long career serving ETH Zurich and its students, Hans Theodor Auerbach retired in 1986.

Hans Theodor Auerbach's research dealt, in a broader sense, with the solution of Boltzmann's transport problems and the heterogeneous theory of finite reactor lattices. He was one of the world's pioneers of his field, which developed rapidly from the 1950s with the use of nuclear energy. Hans Theodor Auerbach has always been a very cooperative theorist who had broad knowledge, was able to quickly familiarize himself with new areas and to initiate stimulating discussions.

As a lecturer, Hans Theodor Auerbach supervised a variety of lectures and seminar series in the field of nuclear technology and was able to inspire young people in his field. He always approached colleagues and students with great helpfulness and kindness; he was strict only when it came to scientific methodology. He was recognized and appreciated by all his co-workers.

The members of ETH Zurich, his former students and his colleagues will honour his memory.