Prof. Dr. Hans Sillescu

1936 - 2023

On August 1, 2023, Professor Hans Sillescu, Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Mainz, passed away at the age of 86. His research focused on studies of the structure and dynamics of macromolecules. Accordingly, he was closely associated with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research through joint projects. Hans Sillescu's methodological focus was nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which he later supplemented with particularly innovative light scattering methods. His work received high international recognition. With him we lose a visionary and helpful colleague and a good friend. We owe him valuable support as an important link to the Johannes Gutenberg University and member of our scientific advisory board. Hans Sillescu was also very successful as a mentor of young scientists. Many of his former colleagues later became professors or MPI directors.

Hans Sillescu was born in Frankfurt am Main on October 5, 1936, studied at the university there, and received his doctorate in physical chemistry under Hermann Hartmann in 1964. He was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles with Daniel Kivelson in 1966/67 and at Harvard University in Boston with Roy Gordon. In 1971 he became professor of physical chemistry in Frankfurt. From 1975 until his retirement in 2002, he succeeded Günter Victor Schulz as professor in Mainz. After the end of his professional life, Hans Sillescu focused on philosophical questions and music; among other things, he was an outstanding cello player.

Our Institute expresses its farewell to Hans Sillescu and will always honor his memory.