Obituary for Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Kleine
It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Kleine, who passed away on November 5, 2025 at the age of 79. While studying to become a teacher of sport, German and biology, he devoted himself to the question of how young people can be inspired to exercise, learn and achieve. In 1977, he completed his doctorate at the Rhineland University of Education with a thesis on "Promoting achievement motivation in elementary school PE lessons". His academic career took him first to the German Sport University Cologne, later to the University of Constance and finally back to the DSHS Cologne. There he took over the professorship for sports didactics and was Prorector for Studies, Teaching and Continuing Education until his retirement in 2011.
After that, he remained connected to the academic world and professionally active: the then Rector of the University of Siegen, Prof. Dr. Holger Burckhart, brought him to Siegen in 2012 to develop quality management. The Rectorate's aim was to create the conditions for system accreditation by establishing an internal quality management system - a project that Wilhelm Kleine drove forward with great prudence, professional depth and organizational skills in cooperation with the Rectorate. This task gave rise to the Siegen Quality Center as a central element, which Mr. Kleine led as founding director for many years. He knew how to create structures based on cooperation, trust and co-design. It was important to him that decisions were comprehensible, processes transparent and all those involved were informed and involved - principles that still characterize Siegen's understanding of quality today.
Under the leadership of Mr. Kleine, the "European Quality Audit (EQA)" was developed as part of the "experimental clause" initiated by the Accreditation Council and tested in a small group consisting of the University of Siegen and other universities from other European countries. The purpose of the "experimental clause" was to further develop and test the existing accreditation system in Germany through new forms of external assessment and ideas for quality assurance in teaching and learning. Mr. Kleine led the development of the corresponding quality management system at the University of Siegen and established its structures so that the University of Siegen was system-accredited with the experiment in 2021. Mr. Kleine's commitment was central to this success.
He was also a member of the external Academic Advisory Board of the University of Siegen and the ombudsperson for studies and teaching at the German Sport University Cologne. In all of these roles, he was a staunch advocate of dialog - convinced that understanding and an open exchange of ideas open up new perspectives. His conceptual clarity, persuasiveness and empathy, as well as his willingness to deal constructively with difficult issues, won him trust and recognition within the university.
We bid farewell to a person who showed attitude, took responsibility seriously, challenged and supported people, who not only developed ideas, but lived them. Our sympathy goes out to his family and all those who were associated with him. We will remember Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Kleine with gratitude.
In November 2025:
Holger Burckhart
Thomas Mannel
Simona Schüler
