Johannes Kempmann passed away on 24 May 2026. He was the long-standing chair of the Pro FH Friends’ Association, a long-standing member of the Board of Trustees, and spokesperson for the selection committee for the university’s chancellor.
Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences owes Johannes Kempmann a debt of gratitude for the decisive impetus he gave to its development in his various roles. With a keen eye for the economic and political significance of a university of applied sciences, he championed the establishment of the university’s first endowed professorship (in the field of urban water management and infrastructure development). As chairman of the Pro FH Friends’ Association, Johannes Kempmann ensured that, during his tenure, funding was primarily directed towards supporting student projects. It was his idea to set up a combined scheme for students comprising a Germany Scholarship and a part-time job within a company. Refugee students also benefited from this combined scholarship, which Kempmann took the initiative to fund. He repeatedly championed the retention of students as alumni, with the aim of propelling the growing university forward thanks to its diverse and successful graduates.
As a member of the university’s Board of Trustees since October 2021, Johannes Kempmann – despite initial reservations – consistently advocated for collaboration between regional industry and academia. Promoting the transfer of theory into practice and the economic transformation of the region: in the context of the university, these were key approaches to constructive action for him, always with a focus on finding solutions. The epithet ‘doer’ – grounded and forward-looking – characterised his approach to shaping the future in Magdeburg and at the university.
The University mourns the loss of Johannes Kempmann together with his wife, Marianne Tritz-Kempmann. With his passing—he was cruelly taken from us by a serious illness that cut short his many-faceted life plans—we have lost an irreplaceable member of our academic community.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz on behalf of the University Management and the Board of Trustees
Photo: Kerstin Seela