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In memory of our colleague Dr Roland Steitz

We mourn the loss of our former colleague Roland Steitz who passed away far too soon on 7 October 2026 at the age of 66, following a long battle with a treacherous illness. He was an internationally renowned expert in neutron research and was deeply committed to fostering connections within the neutron community worldwide. 

Roland Steitz’s humorous, friendly manner was exceptional; his consistently respectful demeanour was a pleasure to everyone. At the same time, he radiated an unyielding optimism that also helped him get through the difficult last years. In the scientific community and later on the Management Staff team, everyone knew that they could rely on him at all times. Therefore, it was only natural that the neutron community elected him to the Committee for Neutron Scattering, representing their interests vis-à-vis the Ministry of Research. His colleagues at HZB also placed their trust in him, electing him as the staff representative on the Supervisory Board.

Roland Steitz was born on 1 March 1960 in Alsenz near Bad Kreuznach. His scientific career began with a degree in chemistry at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, where he also obtained his PhD in 1993 under the supervision of Prof. Helmuth Möhwald. Following a year abroad at the University of Queensland, Australia, he joined the Neutron Reflectometry team at the Hahn-Meitner Institute (HMI) in 1995, which was based in Prof. Ferenc Mezei’s department. There, at the BER II research reactor, he supervised the V6 instrument during user operations and also used it for his own research, particularly in the field of soft matter. Visiting researchers and scientific partners could rely on him to provide excellent support and to ensure that their experiments were successful, yielding meaningful data. Initially, he took on responsibility for this specialist area and the associated instrumentation as a visiting researcher – first whilst affiliated with Prof. Findenegg’s group at the Technical University of Berlin and later again with Prof. Möhwald at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Golm. From 2004 onwards, he was finally entrusted with this role as a permanent member of staff at the HMI.

Drawing on his expertise, the V18-BioRef time-of-flight reflectometer at BER II was designed and built in collaboration with the University of Heidelberg. His design was so successful and advanced that the V18-BioRef was among the first instruments to resume user operations following the decommissioning of BER II – now known as ‘Spatz’ at ANSTO near Sydney.

Roland Steitz enriched the neutron school run at the HMI/HZB over many years with hands-on experiments and lectures. Following the establishment of the Institute for Soft Functional Matter at HZB, he set up an interface research group, where his even-tempered nature always ensured an excellent team atmosphere. He quickly earned the trust to act as deputy head of the institute until he joined the Management Staff in 2015.

There, he took on the task - crucial to the centre - of setting up and overseeing the transfer programme for the subsequent use of the neutron scattering instruments at BER II. He maintained contacts with the neutron sources and facilities far beyond the conclusion of the contracts. Consequently, the success of this project is largely based on his work, which he was unfortunately unable to see through to the end due to his serious illness. 

We are all indebted to him beyond measure for a wonderful, vibrant and successful period of scientific and collegial collaboration. We always worked excellent together.

We wish his family, all his relatives and friends the strength they need during this difficult time. We share in their grief at the loss of a unique person and friend.

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"It is with great sadness that I mourn the loss of my dear friend and colleague, Roland Steitz. I will always remember Roland from our time at V6 as a wonderful collaborator with a sharp scientific mind and an extraordinary commitment to scientific excellence. We spent many late evenings working together, striving to ensure that our data and experiments were of the highest quality and at the forefront of world-leading research. Together, we carried out and published the first paper on the metal–oil interface using Neutron Reflectometery (NR) This work opened the door to further collaborations with our colleague, Professor Clarke, at the University of Cambridge, and with the BP Institute in Cambridge. It also laid the foundation for further studies on oil additives, corrosion inhibitors, and lubricant formulation using NR.

Above all, I will miss Roland’s friendship, kindness, open-mindedness, and clarity of thought when discussing scientific data and ideas. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him and to have shared so many stimulating and productive scientific discussions. Roland will be remembered not only for his outstanding scientific contributions but also for his generosity, collegiality, and the lasting impact he had on those who had the privilege of working with him."

Dr Ali Zarbakhsh  (Retired), Department of Chemistry, Queen Mary University of London 

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"I am deeply saddened by the death of Roland Steitz. Although I was never part of his closest circle of colleagues, our paths crossed from time to time; for instance, whilst producing instrument brochures, at general events relating to neutron research, and later during the transfer of the neutron Laue diffractometer – which I had most recently been responsible for – to the Paul Scherrer Institute. From these interactions, I can only say that with Roland’s passing, we have lost one of the finest and most pleasant colleagues at the HMI and later at the HZB. Ever since he stopped coming to the institute regularly, I have missed his constant optimism and that little smile he always wore, which rubbed off on others and their work. It is very sad that such a good person had to leave us so soon. I wish all his loved ones the strength they need and the support of those close to them to come to terms with the loss of Roland." 

Michael Tovar, HZB

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"I am very sad to hear about Roland Steitz's death. Over the years, we had been in touch from time to time, most recently in connection with the dismantling of the instruments from the neutron conductor hall. Calls or emails from Mr Steitz were always a source of pleasure, as I could be sure that, whatever the reason for getting in touch, there would be a very friendly, polite and competent colleague at the other end of the line, whom I was always happy to assist. Occasionally, there was also time for a quick chat about motorcycling. I wish Mr Steitz’s family strength and courage.”

Dirk Höcker, HZB

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“Dear Roland, it brings tears to my eyes as I write these lines, knowing that you have left us far too soon. It is hard to find the right words when you know there will be no more conversations between us. I first met you whilst working as a team assistant, back when I was still part of Prof. Lüning’s PS-IESD group. Through our work and the tasks involved in the decommissioning process, we often spoke on the phone and exchanged ideas via Zoom. I look back on these encounters with gratitude – above all because of your kindness and your immense patience. You were always so kind and attentive towards me. You took the time to listen and treated me with a warmth that is by no means to be taken for granted. It is precisely these seemingly small things that stay with me. Today, they mean a great deal to me. As I say goodbye, I think of ‘The Long Road’ by Eddie Vedder. To mark my own farewell to you, I find these words: We all must walk this path, and at some point it leads beyond what we can share with one another. How painful it is that your path has reached that point so soon. I would have wished you so much more time. Thank you for your patience, for every friendly conversation and for the time we spent together. I will remember you as someone whose kindness was evident in our daily interactions. My deepest sympathy goes to your family and to all those who were close to you and now miss you so much. Rest in peace, dear Roland. You are missed.” 

Susann Badran, IT-SB Library, HZB

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“This sad news has affected me deeply. Mr Steitz’s work and mine did not overlap much. That makes it all the more impressive that I remember every encounter I had with him. He was a very likeable and humorous person who, at a time when hardly anyone takes time for others anymore, always gave you his undivided attention. I will remember him just as he appears in the photograph: with a smile on his face. Alongside my grief, I also feel a sense of gratitude. I wish his family, colleagues and friends much strength during this very sad time.” 

Anja Seehrich, A-PO, HZB

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“The news of Roland’s far too early passing has affected me deeply. I came to know him as such a warm-hearted, friendly and caring colleague that it is almost impossible to describe. Especially when I was just starting out at what was then the HMI, he patiently explained so many things to me: how the neutron community works, how it is organised and what unites it. He introduced me to neutron research, helped me understand research findings and was always willing to do something for public outreach – whether it was giving a guided tour for a group or giving a talk. You could always approach him. His subtle sense of humour and his mischievous smile were always there. It was such a pleasure to talk to him. A wonderful person has left us far too soon. I will miss him very much.”

Ina Helms, Communications Department, HZB

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