Memories of Uwe

This page gathers memories and reflections shared by colleagues, collaborators, students, and friends in honor of Uwe Harlander. We are grateful to all who have contributed to remembering his life, his work, and the care and generosity he brought to those around him.

"I’m trying to share what Uwe Harlander meant to me. He meant so much to me that I’m afraid words won’t even begin to cover what I could say. He was a good boss, a good colleague, a good friend. A constant source of support. A great example to follow. A man who, although he took things very seriously, also had a wonderful sense of humor. Someone who saw the good in people. A man from whom I, his colleagues, and his students all had so much to learn—both scientifically and humanly. A man who was always there for me, ready to help me through difficult times. I hope that some of what I learned from him can be seen in me as well."

--- Ion Borcia ---

"Uwe was (it is so incredibly hard to use past tense here) clearly one of the most inspiring researchers I have ever had the privilege working with. As a young postdoc, when I joined the department (LAS) at BTU in November 2012, he guided me very friendly and patiently as a true mentor. I was fortunate enough to share an office with him for two years, and to observe him while working from up close. I have admired his analytical approach, the way he could easily connect complicated theoretical concepts to the simplified experimental minimal models of geophysical fluid dynamics. But you could talk to Uwe about practically anything: whatever topic came up he could always make interesting and novel points thank to his unique, "outside the box" way of thinking. More than that, I could always count on him in everything. He created a "safe bubble" around him for his colleagues. This made being in his group very relaxing and productive at the same time. Since my Cottbus years we stayed in continuous contact, working on joint proposals, writing papers and having fun together. Just a few days before he passed away we had an online meeting about new ideas, and mentioning the plans of my regular November visit to Cottbus, for which we were both looking forward. What a cruel, untimely turn of fate that he passed away! How many beautiful moments could have been waiting for him and his loved ones, and how many great research ideas he could have come up with. It is so very hard to accept his passing as God's will. But also: how fortunate we all have been who had the chance to share some of his stay on Earth, something for which I will be forever grateful. May he rest in peace.  "

--- Miklos Vincze---

"Just a few days ago, I could never have imagined that I would be writing here. Yet, if you are here too, it means you were lucky enough to share memories with Uwe. One year ago, I moved to Cottbus. It was my first time living far from my family, and Uwe and everyone around me became my family there. At work, he made you feel like a colleague. He always had an idea he was excited about. In engineering, ideal systems represent a perfection that real systems can only approach. Uwe, you made me believe that an ideal could exist in a person, in the way you approached science and treated us. I wish we had had more time."

--- Ilke Kaykanat ---

"The news that Uwe has passed away has come as a painful shock. We have known each other for about 30 years, from our early postdoc onward. Our scientific topics have changed, but the personal sympathy has always been the same. Uwe has been a very competent and patient discussion partner, on all aspects of geophysical fluid dynamics, including internal gravity waves, but also beyond this on politics, society and private life. To my knowledge he has found to the atmospheric sciences from gliding. In this sense he was a full-blooded meteorologist. I appreciate very much, however, how clear he has always been, beyond such a practical aspect, on the importance of theory and mathematics for the field, in addition to the admirable experimental work that he has done. He will be missed a lot, both as a scientist and as a person. In both ways, already from the little I know, he is leaving a considerable legacy. I will keep on remembering him in the most positive light."

--- Ulrich Achatz ---

"It was such shocking and heartbreaking news to hear of Uwe’s sudden passing. Although it has been a few years since I last saw him in person, I can still clearly picture his warm and wise smile.

It was a great privilege to have been one of his PhD students. I still remember so many cherished moments with him: the first time we met at my interview, the lectures he gave that introduced me to the fascinating world of waves, the meetings and conferences he took me to, my PhD defense during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we had to keep our distance from one another, and many other moments along the way.

I remain deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to learn from him. His knowledge, kindness, charm, and gracious guidance shaped my years as a PhD student and helped lead me into the world of academia. The lessons I learned from him, both as a scientist and as a person, will always stay with me."

--- Wenchao Xu ---

"Getting to know that Uwe has passed away was shocking to me. He was such a wonderful person and scientist and it was always a pleasure to share thoughts with him. 

I got to know Uwe when I started my PhD in Cottbus in 2010 and he accompanied my way as a scientist till today. He gave me guidance when I was struggling. He teached me patience when I was hasting. 

My very first journal paper draft he reviewed with pleasure and improved this work a lot. His door was always open for discussion and he always had some interesting insight to develop myself further. 

He became a role model as a scientist itself, as a teacher in academia, as a PhD advisor and also as a human. I miss him a lot."

--- Sebastian Merbold ---

"Uwe was perhaps one of the nicest people I had met in the field of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. When I visited Cottbus along with my then PhD supervisor Johannes Wicht, he gave us a wonderful tour of his various labs. I will always remember him as incredibly knowledgeable, warm and a gifted researcher and supervisor."

--- Ankit Barik ---

"We have lost Uwe Harlander. Although I was never his student or co-author, I had the pleasure of meeting him at ICTW, ISTROF, and EFDC conferences. From our very first encounter, Uwe immediately put me at ease: he was the one who came over and introduced himself, asked several perceptive questions, and then drew me into a warm and engaging conversation. Every exchange with him left me feeling inspired and supported.

I last spoke with Uwe in July 2025 in Durham, at ICTW 2025. We talked for a long time after the conference dinner at Durham Castle. That day brought an endless succession of unpredictable downpours, and Uwe’s hair was soaked with rain, yet he seemed utterly happy—enjoying both the company and that remarkable place.

I had no idea that it would be the last time we spoke. I will miss you very much, Uwe."

--- Oleg Kirillov ---

"Being an inexperienced PhD student conducting my first experimental research with my PhD advisor in Cottbus was the first time Uwe entered my life, together with his team. Today, I understand much better the value of what trusting teams means, "believing in each other enough to feel supported, safe and confident that no one has to face challenges alone". Not long after, we became colleagues and our offices are still, to this day, next door to each other. One particular session Uwe gave on the EFDC1 in Aachen stands out. The room was filling up before his talk and not everyone was able to find a seat. For many, it was the joy of the way he presented science, his tone of voice, his particular personality and the way he made people listen. 

At the ICTW in Barcelona, Uwe came up to me and told me that his wallet had been stolen. He had spent time at the police station and at the consulate trying to sort everything out so that he could get back to Germany. I remembered what trusting teams meant for Uwe. I gave him my spare credit card and all the cash I had with me, knowing that he would have done exactly the same for me. But I think the little things we shared every day were the most special ones. Sharing or bringing small gestures such as a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread that a friend of him had baked and our daily rituals. Even though our offices are next door to each other, we had different paths. Uwe took the front door, while I took the back door. Yet we always made the extra step to say good morning or goodbye and to remind each other, do not stay to long in office.

Uwe had the special ability not simply to present a solution, but to allow his peers to discover and interpret a deeper meaning in what he was saying or explaining. I can share my impression that Uwe was happy throughout his last week. I still remember our last conversation when he said at the end: “... ah, Peter, we are getting into something we cannot change. Let us focus on the positive things in life we can influence.” (There was a pause.) “You are right. Let’s get back to work. I shall see you later.” “Yeah, see you later.”

It has been a week now since he passed away. So far, I have not been back to the office yet. However, I already know that I will miss his special tone of voice when saying good morning and goodbye. Sometimes, it is the little things that stay with us."

--- Peter Szabo ---

"In the small community of scientists working on Geophysical Fluid Dynamics in Germany, Uwe stood out as a strikingly kindhearted and supportive scientist. I only had the pleasure to meet him on a few rare occasions. The last time I spoke to him was at the SIAM NWCS conference in Bremen in 2022. I distinctly remember how he encouraged me in my ambition to become a professor of geophysical fluid dynamics in Germany. He was very empathetic about the problems facing young scientists and one could tell he had a genuine passion for the topics and the people of this field. I recently became a professor in Germany and was really looking forward to reach out to Uwe to explore possibilities of collaboration. I am shocked to hear that he is no longer with us but he leaves a significant legacy and his contributions will be remembered dearly."

"Uwe hat meinen beruflichen Werdegang der letzten 15 Jahre geprägt, umso entsetzter bin ich über den unverhofften herben Verlust. Uwe war immer Vorbild, später Mentor, Kollege und Freund. Fachlich über jeden Zweifel erhaben, war er stets scharfsinnig, blieb bodenständig, nahbar und in Gesprächen immer auf Augenhöhe. Seine besonnene und interessierte, manchmal humorvolle Sicht auf die Dinge im beruflichen wie privaten sowie seine pragmatischen Schlüsse werde ich schmerzlich vermissen.

Uwes Tür stand immer offen: für knifflige Fragen, einen ehrlichen Rat oder auch nur ein kurzes halbernstes Gespräch. Es war sein authentisches Interesse am Denk- bzw. Erkenntnisprozess, der mich wohl immer noch am meisten beeindruckt, der manchmal sehr beschwerlich sein kann, aber ohne den ein einzelnes Ergebnis oder eine Schlussfolgerung wenig zählt. 

Ohne Uwe hätte ich wohl weder meine Doktorarbeit fertiggestellt noch meine Position als Habilitant angetreten, geschweige denn die Möglichkeit in Betracht gezogen. Zuversicht in die eigenen Fähigkeiten zu entwickeln und dies zu vermitteln ist eine der Eigenschaften, an der ich meine Erinnerungen an Uwe in meinem Wirken fortbestehen lassen möchte. "

--- Marten Klein---

"I first met Uwe Harlander in November 2016.

In retrospect, it is strange to say that we “met”, because Uwe and I never really had a formal introduction. There was no particular day when we sat down, shook hands, and said, “Hello, I am Sparsh” or “Hello, I am Uwe.”

We were on the same floor for three years. And every morning, whenever our paths crossed, there was that small acknowledgement. A nod, a smile, a “Morgen”, sometimes just a look that said, “I see you.” It was such an ordinary thing that I never imagined I would one day look back on those little moments and realize how much they had come to mean.

Somewhere along the way, without either of us deciding it, Uwe became my friend.

He became the person I could go to when I wanted to know something about Cottbus, about Germany, about how things worked, or sometimes about mathematics. I could simply walk over and ask him something. There was never any ceremony around it. He was approachable, generous with his time, and somehow always made it feel completely natural to ask.

I learned what professional friendship can look like. It can be quiet. It does not necessarily need long conversations every day, shared projects, or a formal beginning. Sometimes it is built from hundreds of tiny moments: a greeting in the morning, a question asked in the corridor, a short conversation over coffee, a piece of advice, a smile when you pass each other, the reassuring knowledge that there is someone nearby whom you can simply ask.

That quiet camaraderie with Uwe has set a benchmark for me that will be very difficult to match.

One of the memories I will always carry with me is my PhD defence on 17 December 2019. Uwe coordinated my defence. I remember the significance of that day in my own life, but what makes it even more meaningful now is knowing that someone who had quietly become such an important part of my life during those years was also there to help bring that chapter to its conclusion.

There is something deeply touching about that, at least for me. From those first almost wordless morning acknowledgements in 2016 to my PhD defence in 2019, Uwe had somehow become part of my journey without ever making a big thing of it.

And perhaps that is exactly how I will remember him.

Not through one grand moment, but through all those small ones.

There are people who enter our lives loudly. We notice them immediately. And then there are people like Uwe, who become part of our lives so naturally that we only fully understand their importance when they are no longer there.

Uwe was one of those people for me.

Looking back now, I wish I had told him how much I valued those little interactions. I wish I had said that his kindness, openness, and quiet camaraderie had meant more to me than I probably ever expressed.

But perhaps some friendships do not need many words to be real.

For three years, we shared the same floor. We crossed paths countless times. We acknowledged each other every morning. Somewhere between those ordinary moments, a friendship formed.

And I am deeply grateful that it did.

Rest in peace, Uwe.

Thank you for being one of those people who made a place feel a little more like home, and a difficult journey a little less lonely.

I will remember you every time I think of those years in Cottbus."

--- Sparsh---

"I first met Uwe at the EGU session that he organized.  Even though we had never met before and had very different interets in GFD, he was always very welcoming, kind and thoughtful.  I wish I could have talked to him more.  "

--- Francis Poulin ---

"I met Uwe at the "From the Lab to the Stars" workshop in 2018 at the Lorentz Center in Leiden.  I had not even known of his work before then.  So even more so, I was smitten with his pleasant, calm demeanor and his expertise and love of geophysical flows, best carried out on big annular rotating devices.  A love of mine as well.  

We emailed a good deal after that meeting, sharing papers.  I had sincerely hoped to see him again as I deeply enjoyed his insight, his talent and the elegant way he held himself. 

With my sincerest condolences. --Jon  "

--- Jon Aurnou ---

"I still cannot believe that Uwe will never walk past my door again, that his office door will never be open to me, or that his bicycle will never be parked next to mine. Uwe was a wonderful colleague, and working with him was a joy. He was honest, always friendly, intelligent, and capable of self-criticism; he always offered constructive solutions and ideas. I miss our personal interactions. Your colleague and neighbor, Silvio Misera."

"I will miss Uwe as friend and colleague -- his humble curiosity, his well-tempered mind, his love of physics (and physics books), his Danube-Swabian character acting, and many other things. Actually, I was expecting to have more time to discuss with him, write scientific papers together, or just drink more coffee. It grieves me that this is not gonna happen."

--- Carsten ---

"A few years ago, I got the chance to invite Uwe to give a talk (“The weather in the water tank”) for a broad audience of physicists at the Dutch national physics conference. What a beautiful talk! His deep interest and understanding were so palpable.

After that, Leo Maas, Uwe and I met online about once a month to discuss different aspects of waves in rotating fluids. What made these meetings so special was that Uwe always began with us as people – how we were doing, what was going on in our lives – before we turned to the science. Those conversations were such a joy that we learned to schedule them at the end of the afternoon, knowing they would most likely run well beyond the 1.5 hours we had planned. Such long conversations are so rare nowadays. 

I will miss those conversations, and Uwe's generous curiosity, very much."

--- Matias Duran Matute ---

"I used to think, if I ever had to vote for the kindest person I met in Europe, I would vote for Professor Harlander. 

He was a talented scientist, and more than that an empath at heart and a great human being. 

The greatness of professor lay in how much faith he had in people and their goodness. I loved how considerate he was regarding what his students might be going through; their mental and physical health, or their financial conditions. He wanted everyone to live well and the fact that he was taking those vacations made me happy that he was living well too. I was very content when he took that trip to Canada a few months ago. Last spring, there was a conference in Austria that he attended. He finished his presentation early but he stayed there for a few more days for the fact that his friends were going to present. That showed the efforts he put into his friendship and somehow taught me to be there for the people I care about. Once I told him that I had a dance performance in the city centre with my friends and I wouldn't come to the lab. That day he left the office earlier so that he could see my performance. He understood very well the importance of family, friends and co-existence, that the kindness goes a long way and everything else is secondary. 

I first met him through his course during my exchange semester at BTU in 2025. He was almost never late for the class except for one time when he arrived 10 minutes late. He always rode his bicycle to the university and, on that day, he said that he had a flat tire so he had to go back home and drive his car to the university. I was amazed at his simplicity; one might also say he was being eco-friendly or health-conscious. 

Professor helped me secure a student assistantship when I showed interest in his experimental research. After my failed attempts looking for a master's thesis opportunity in industry and in other 'trending' fields, he happily accepted the request to supervise my thesis too. During the last days of my master's thesis, I was anxious regarding the insufficiency of the size of my thesis. He first assured me about the quality of my work and how he would always prefer quality over quantity. Nevertheless, he would suggest the ways to inflate my thesis just to address my anxiety. During the course of documentation, he would send emails saying things like: "Good job! I see your thesis growing" :D. If he had any feedback, he would first mention what he liked about the work and then proceed to gently put forth his opinion, not as an imposition but as a humble doubt. That's how he was; always grounded, always caring. 

The time for my defense got closer and he asked me if I would like to do it on the 9th or 10th of september. I chose the latest date. All set on that day and excited to see the contentment on his face for successfully mentoring yet another student, I went for the presentation. I went straight to his office but weirdly that day the light was off and the door which always used to be ajar, was locked. On other days, I would give a soft knock to his door and hear back his gentle welcoming voice; "ja-a?!", always ready to entertain your questions. I knocked anyway but heard no response that day. My co-supervisor unlocked the classroom for me and we waited for him speculating where he might be. I was thinking about the time when he was late for the class once and guessed he might have had a flat tire again and forgave him within me. Scheduled for 2 PM, the presentation had not begun until 2:15. Some faculty members gathered outside and were discussing something while I was waiting for him inside the room. I think it was Peter who then made a call to his phone. 

Shortly after the phone call, he then called my name, and told me that Professor was no more. 

The first thought appeared and I said to myself: "he was too good to be true."

A few weeks have passed since we lost his physical presence, and all we carry are memories of him. He helped me gain my confidence back and stood there as my guardian in a foreign land. Nothing is meant to last forever, but the time it lasted should be celebrated. I wish him peace in a better place, and I feel deeply honored to have met him: an absolutely wonderful man."

--- Pravesh ---

"I got to know Uwe as a quiet and gentle soul, whether during our chats in the office coffee room or when he joined 'Physics on Friday.' His deep love for science was always palpable and inspiring. My thoughts are with his close friends and family."

--- Katharina Noatschk ---

"I always took great pleasure in talking with Uwe, whether at conferences, in his office, or over a beer. Calm, curious and a good listener, he was also a source of new ideas and projects. The last email I received from him read: 'It is a pity that I cannot come in this period. However, we keep in touch.' I never thought I wouldn't see him again. His presence will be greatly missed during our visits to the laboratory in Cottbus!"

--- Philippe Beltrame ---

"It was with great shock and deep sadness that I learned of Uwe’s sudden death.

I knew Uwe from the Academic Discussion Group at “Zelig,” where I came to value him both as a respected colleague and as a friend. I will greatly miss his thoughtful contributions, our stimulating discussions, and the valuable ideas and encouragement he offered me in connection with my Greenland research project.

I will remember Uwe as a person who was distinguished by great intellectual curiosity, openness, and a remarkable ability to inspire others through conversation and the exchange of ideas. This makes it all the more painful to know that the opportunity for further conversations and encounters has been taken from us so unexpectedly.

We will miss Uwe dearly, and I will remember him with gratitude and affection.

With sincere sympathy and in loving memory,"

--- Thomas Hitziger ---

" Dear family of Prof. Harlander,

I am writing to you with a heavy heart. When I heard that Prof. Uwe Harlander had passed away, I found it hard to take in. I wanted to reach out and tell you, in my own words, what he meant to me and to so many of his students.

I met Prof. Harlander as his student in the course Dimensional Analysis. From the first lectures, it was clear that he cared about more than the subject. He wanted us to understand, to grow, and to feel that we belonged. He was patient with every question, never made anyone feel small for not knowing something, and always explained things with kindness. In a field where students can easily feel overwhelmed, he made the room feel safe.

There is one memory I will carry with me always. During the final exam period I fell ill and was not able to attempt the paper. I was anxious and unsure what would happen. Prof. Harlander did not treat it as a problem to be processed. He called me to his office and arranged for me to take the test there. He did not make me explain myself over and over, and he did not make me feel that I was asking for too much. He simply helped. That moment showed me what kind of person he was: someone who saw a student first as a human being, and who used the freedom he had to do good for others. I have never forgotten it, and I never will.

What I remember most is the way he met people. When I think of the AZFD building, I think of his room and of him sitting there, always ready with a bright smile and a warm greeting. It was a small thing, but it changed the feel of a day. You could arrive tired, stressed, or worried, and leave feeling a little lighter. Kindness like that is rare, and it was natural to him. He showed love and respect to his students and to everyone around him, and he never seemed to expect anything in return.

I am deeply grateful to have learned from him. He taught me dimensional analysis, but he also taught me, by example, how to treat people: with patience, generosity, and genuine care. I hope to carry that forward in my own work and in the way I treat those who come after me, whether as a colleague, a mentor, or a friend.

I know that no words can ease your loss. I hope it brings some comfort to know how much he was valued and how many lives he touched, including mine. He will be remembered with great warmth and respect by his students, and I will miss him.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. You are in my thoughts.

With deep gratitude and respect,

Shashank Vissom

Master’s student, Aerospace Engineering (TFMASA)

Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg"