The long-standing President of the Thünen Institute, Prof. Dr Folkhard Isermeyer, passed away on 14 January 2025 at the age of 67 after a serious illness. With his passing, the Thünen Institute has not only lost its ‘architect’, an excellent scientist and clever strategist, but also a personality who led with trust, an open ear and human warmth.

The agricultural economist, who is held in high esteem in business and science, took over the presidency of the Thünen Institute shortly after the reorganisation of departmental research in 2009. Prior to this, he was Director and President of the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL), one of three predecessor institutions of the Thünen Institute. Over the past 15 years, with his characteristic foresight, patience and passion, he has transformed three very different research institutes into a scientific institution whose great social importance was last confirmed by the German Council of Science and Humanities in 2024. He has consistently brought together the existing specialist research expertise in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural areas in order to present concepts for the sustainable use of natural resources and the development of rural regions. The Thünen Institute also enjoys an outstanding reputation as a policy advisory institution thanks to Folkhard Isermeyer's work. As an honorary professor at the University of Göttingen, he has also passed on his knowledge to future generations.

Folkhard Isermeyer repeatedly used his skills as a gifted communicator and networker to bring together different people and opinions and to bring discussions that were getting out of hand back to the core and onto a solid, evidence-based foundation. International networks such as agri benchmark can be traced back to his initiative. He was an important source of inspiration for political and agricultural science debates in Germany and Europe. The Competence Network for Livestock Farming (‘Borchert Commission’) and the Future Commission for Agriculture have benefited from this. The success of both commissions was a matter close to his heart.

Although he always had his eye on the big picture and also demanded a certain altitude from his scientists, he never lost his grip on the ground. He remained personally connected to the Braunschweig region throughout his life and was involved in the ForschungRegionBraunschweig network and the House of Science, for example.  

He himself described his presidency of the Thünen Institute as ‘the greatest job in the world’. He died shortly before his retirement following a serious illness.

The sudden death of Prof Dr Folkhard Isermeyer leaves us all stunned. His loss is infinitely sad for the Thünen Institute and for all the people who worked with him and appreciated his work. We miss Folkhard Isermeyer and will always remember him with respect.