It is with great sadness that we inform you of the unexpected passing of Prof. Dr. Walter Thiel on Friday, August 23, 2019, at the age of 70.
Prof. Thiel only recently retired from his position as director at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim an der Ruhr, which he held since 1999. He has been an active member of RESOLV since its inception and hosted multiple early career research groups. Prof. Thiel was an outstanding scientist who made a lasting impact on the field of theoretical chemistry with crucial contributions to the development of semi-empirical methods in quantum chemistry and hybrid quantum-classical simulations, to name but a few. He was a true expert with a deep understanding of chemistry and highly respected by his colleagues, who frequently sought his advice to help shed light on their own scientific research.
Above all, Prof. Thiel was a compassionate, quick-witted and humble person who went to great lengths to support his students and co-workers under all circumstances. He was always a pillar of strength to the many current and former members of his research group, who will keep his memory and legacy alive. He will be dearly missed by his family, his colleagues, students, mentees and friends.