On the death of Professor em. Dr.-Ing. E.h. mult. Franz Mayinger

Franz Mayinger was born in Augsburg in 1931, where he completed his Abitur (A-levels). After studying mechanical engineering and gaining his doctorate at the Technical University of Munich, Mayinger made his mark in industry. In 1969 he returned to academia as Full Professor and Director of the Institute of Process Engineering at the University of Hanover. From 1981 until his retirement in 1999, he was Chair of Thermodynamics at the Technical University of Munich. From 1998 to 2002, Prof. Mayinger was Head of the Bavarian Elite Academy.

Prof. Mayinger was committed to the University of Bayreuth to an extraordinary degree, well beyond the scope of his duties in Munich. As member of the Science Council and of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Board of the Bavarian State Government, he played a major role in the founding of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences (now the Faculty of Engineering Science). "Franz Mayinger was a visionary who dreamt of a strong connection between the natural sciences and engineering for the future development of material sciences. He found staunch supporters here among the professors of physics and chemistry at the University of Bayreuth. He was not only concerned with the re-foundation of an engineering-oriented faculty, but right from the beginning, with its integration into the overall concept of the University of Bayreuth and its natural science profile focus. A second guiding principle was the implementation of the idea of interdisciplinary education in the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences. Prof. Mayinger helped to design the study programme in Materials Science and thus laid the foundations for teaching and research in the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences," says Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. Helmut Ruppert, former President of the University of Bayreuth. 

Mayinger was the founding Dean of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences between 1995 and 1999, and at the same time a member of the Senate of the University of Bayreuth. His appointment policy at the new faculty proved to be extremely successful and fruitful. For example, it was he who brought Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Brüggemann, full professor of Engineering Thermodynamics & Transport Processes and Director of the Centre for Energy Technology to Bayreuth: "At the same time, I had an offer from the University of Stuttgart to take over the management of a much larger research group," Prof. Dr.-Ing. Brüggemann recalls. "But Mayinger, as an experienced colleague in my subject in particular, drew all kinds of advantages of the University of Bayreuth to my attention. I don't know exactly how he managed to make me decide to transfer to the University of Bayreuth at the time, but I know today that it was a very good decision. I am grateful to him for that."

Prof. Mayinger was Chairman of the University Council of the University of Bayreuth from 1989 until September 2009. In this capacity, he contributed significantly to the positive development of research and teaching at the University of Bayreuth. 

Prof. Mayinger had the reputation of an excellent thermodynamicist, an innovative scientist, a champion of science, and a prudent scientific manager and advocate. The Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences recognised this by appointing him its only honorary doctorate in 2006. This was followed in 2009 by the awarding of honorary senatorship by the University of Bayreuth. Exemplary among his many honours, including international awards, was his presentation with the Bavarian Order of Maximilian for Science and Art.

Franz Mayinger passed away on 24 June at the age of 89. For the University of Bayreuth, his death means the painful loss of a highly respected friend and supporter, who was instrumental in founding the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences at the University of Bayreuth, and assisted us right from the establishment and development of the University of Bayreuth.

The University Governing Board, Senate, University Council, and Board of Trustees of the University of Bayreuth will always honour the memory of Prof. Mayinger.