It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear and much-loved colleague
Gerard Roelofs
Gerard joined the University of Twente in 1985 as a chemical technologist. In 1990, he contributed to the relocation of the nanolab from the Hogekamp building to the cleanroom (now the High Tech Factory). After years of shaping the development of the cleanroom, Gerard became the head of NanoLab in 2005, and under his leadership, a completely new cleanroom was developed and opened in 2010—the current NanoLab. This facility played a key role in the establishment of MESA+. Under Gerard’s guidance, the NanoLab has become one of the leading cleanrooms in Europe, continuing to play a crucial role in the success of MESA+ and, by extension, the University of Twente.
Gerard led the NanoLab for nearly 20 years. He was the face of the NanoLab, representing it both to internal users (the academic chairs) and external users, many of whom were spin-off companies whose growth and success were closely tied to the cleanroom. Gerard fulfilled this role in a thoughtful and constructive manner; always collaborative yet realistic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gerard recognised the importance of the NanoLab to both its internal and external users, and it was one of the first units at the UT to remain operational in a COVID-safe way. Thanks to Gerard’s efforts, the lab could stay open to serve the needs of companies and researchers alike.
Gerard was a true people manager. He had a unique ability to empower individuals and instil confidence in them. His strength came from his deep understanding of the work, having started on the shop floor himself, and he truly knew what motivated everyone. Gerard was always cheerful—his was the first smile you would see in the morning.
During his brief illness, Gerard maintained regular contact with his team via email and messages, even though it visibly drained his energy. He also made a special effort last Thursday to record an audio message for a colleague who was retiring. This speaks to his deep commitment and the remarkable person Gerard was.
In recent years, Gerard had expressed a desire to return more to the shop floor, to be closer to the people and the processes, and had already taken the first steps in this direction. He was also preparing for his upcoming retirement, looking forward to enjoying more leisurely pursuits. We are deeply saddened that Gerard and his family were not given the opportunity to enjoy this time together.
Gerard, we thank you for everything you have given us—your knowledge, your passion, your dedication—but most of all, your listening ear and the fatherly role you played in our lives. We will miss you immensely.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Karin, his children Bastiaan and Evelien, their partners, and the rest of his family as they navigate this difficult time.
To express your condolences, there is a condolence register available in room NL2008 in the Nanolab. This register can be signed by anyone who feels the need and will later be presented to the family.
On behalf of the entire University of Twente,
NanoLab staff and MESA+ programme office
