In February 1964, he joined the Max-Planck-Institute for Physics and Astrophysics in Munich, where he studied theta pinches in toroiodal geometry. He spent 1968 and 1969 working as a visiting scientist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in the U. S. where he contributed to the then very active stellarator program there. He then returned to Munich, joining the Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) at the Max-Planck Institute, where he became active in the stellarator group headed by Prof. Guenter Greiger. He retired in 2002 after making substantial contributions to the Wendelstein 7-AS and 7-X stellarator efforts.

Though he was primarily a theoretical physicist, making contributions in the areas of plasma equilibrium, stability, transport and edge plasma behavior, he also took an active interest in experimental configurations, one of his most important contributions being the conceptualization of modular helical magnet coils.

He had an exceptionally amiable personality and was a skilled musician. The fusion world is saddened by his passing.

Condolences can be sent via Fritz Wagner: fritz.wagner@ipp.mpg.de