Hans Maurer, a TAPPI Fellow and author of the TAPPI Press book Starch and Starch Products for Wet End Application, passed away in July 2022 at age 91.  Hans was active in Coating & Graphic Arts Division and had many friends and acquaintances in TAPPI.  

Hans was born in 1931 in Schönebeck Germany, a town south of Magdeburg. At age seven, he moved with his parents to Berlin. Later in WWII, he returned to Schönebeck and graduated high school with honors. He studied to become a Chemical Engineer and worked in the field of Starch production. Hans later moved to West Germany, where he worked as an engineer for the Swiss company Escher Wyss.

In 1962, Hans took a job at Westvaco Corporation in Luke, Maryland, and he made his way by boat from Europe to the United States. Hans married his wife, Margot, in Switzerland in 1965. Hans later transferred to the Westvaco Research Labs in Laurel, MD where he worked for more than 30 years.

During his long career, Hans was awarded several patents. Hans had a great love for science and art, and he shared many hobbies with his family including travel, reading, playing tennis, swimming, hiking, museum visits, the theater, eating desserts, and playing cards.

I would add a closing sentence. “ie. Hans brilliance will be greatly missed but his legacy will continue to inspire the industry.”