Professor Manfred Heindler, a former eceee board member, died in May 2006 in Graz, Austria. Convinced of the importance of giving energy efficiency a voice at European level, he was one of eceee’s first board members 1998–2001, and continued as an advisor until his death.

A critical mind and pioneer spirit, able to get excited and delighted by smallest things, coupled with an almost endless working capacity. Often the oldest of a group in age but rather among the youngest in spirit and intensity. That was Manfred.

After his studies he worked as nuclear physicist in Graz, as well as in Geneva, Cadarache and Toronto before becoming a professor at the Technical University of Graz in 1983. In all his work the impact of technology on the society played an important role – in his research on nuclear energy as well as in his work on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

When Austria debated about opening its first nuclear power plant in 1978, he was among the few nuclear scientists who warned about the risks. 12 years later, in 1990 he temporarily left the university to become director of E.V.A., the Austrian Energy Agency, which he led for nine years, to move sustainable energy systems into the center of his activities.

Manfred was member of several expert committees advising governments, administrations and other policy-makers in Austria as well as internationally, e.g. the EU and the IAEA.

In the middle of life, a leukemia hit him and became his last battle on earth. But as it was said at his funeral, knowing Manfred, wherever he might be now, some will have a hard time answering all his questions.…

Manfred, thank you for inspiring us. We will miss you.