Wolfgang Kern was born on October 12, 1963 in Linz and grew up there. After graduating from high school, he studied chemistry in Graz. After completing his doctorate, he remained at the Graz University of Technology, where he habilitated in macromolecular chemistry in 1998.
In 2007, he was appointed as a university professor at the Montanuniversität, where he took over the Institute of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials in 2008 and reorganized it. At the same time, he took over the role of scientific director of the Polymer Competence Center Leoben, and in 2011, he was appointed as its scientific managing director.
His outstanding scientific work has been recognized multiple times. Particularly noteworthy is the HF Mark Medal, which he received in 2019 for his achievements in the field of polymer science. In the same year, he was also named Austrian of the Year in the category “Research”.
His scientific work on functional polymers, in particular on light-reactive polymers, as well as on chemistry at interfaces between organic and inorganic materials, has contributed significantly to the further development of polymers in recent years. In several cases, scientific research results have also been transferred into industrial practice, including a new process for the production of allergy-free surgical gloves, which is based on the use of UV light for vulcanization.
He enjoyed spending his free time traveling with his beloved wife Renate. His hobbies included restoring his vintage cars, as well as trips to the opera and to historical buildings, from which he always brought back instructive and amusing anecdotes.
With the death of Professor Kern, the Montanuniversität Leoben has lost a distinguished scientist who was held in high regard as both a colleague and a superior. We will remember Wolfgang Kern as a friend and role model who always had an open ear for his staff.
Our condolences go out to his wife and family.
A final Glück auf!
Obituary for Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang
