Obituary Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elmar Griese
It is with quiet sadness that we heard the news of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elmar Griese passing away far too early on October 14, 2025, at the age of 65. The University of Siegen has lost an internationally renowned researcher in the field of theoretical electrical engineering and photonics and a passionate teacher. His colleagues will greatly miss his friendly, kind, patient, and reliable nature.
After studying electrical engineering (1987) and subsequently obtaining his doctorate (1993) in the field of electro-magnetic field computation at the University of Paderborn, Prof. Griese worked for 10 years at Siemens AG in the C-LAB research facility, initially in the field of EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) until 1996. From 1997, he was involved in the research and development of optical connection technology for applications at the system, module, and chip levels. From 1999 until he left Siemens AG in 2002, he was also the deputy director of C-LAB.
Since May 2002, Prof. Griese has been a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Siegen, leading the Chair of Theoretical Electrical Engineering and Photonics. Prof. Griese's research areas at the University of Siegen were modeling, simulation, analysis, and design of optical components and architectures for optical assembly and connection technology. His teaching areas included theoretical electrical engineering, fundamentals of signal and system theory, and optical communications engineering.
Prof. Griese's research dates back to the early 1990s. At that time, the topic of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in printed circuit board development, which Prof. Griese was investigating, was still uncharted territory. Rapid developments in this field led to the emergence of the research area of “signal and power integrity (SPI)” in the late 1990s. Prof. Griese was extremely active in this field and his contributions to aspects of signal transmission in and on printed circuit boards are highly regarded. The SPI Workshop, launched in 1997 with the participation of Prof. Griese, has developed over the years into the most important European forum on SPI and was finally held in Siegen by Prof. Griese in 2022.
Prof. Griese was an IEEE Senior Member and was active for many years in the IEEE German EMC Chapter, the URSI Commission E, and other scientific societies. He is the author of more than 120 scientific publications.
Prof. Griese was a spokesperson, chairperson, and organizer of various international committees and held the position of Dean in Department 12 for a long time, starting in 2006. He also chaired the Electrical Engineering Examination Board for many years with great dedication. As an expert assessor for ASIIN in Technical Committee 02, Prof. Griese has been involved in numerous accreditation procedures for degree programs at universities and universities of applied sciences in Germany and abroad. The experience he gained in this role contributed significantly to Prof. Griese's ability to coordinate and further develop the electrical engineering degree programs at the University of Siegen over many years. His comprehensive overview and meticulous attention to detail will continue to benefit the field of electrical engineering in Siegen for many years to come.
Prof. Griese loved teaching and particularly enjoyed taking on responsibility for difficult introductory lectures. His patient and dedicated manner as a teacher was greatly appreciated and always praised by his students. The lecture notes he prepared are widely regarded as a reference. Prof. Griese also worked tirelessly to organize dignified graduation ceremonies for electrical engineering graduates, thereby pioneering the way for other degree programs at the University of Siegen. His commitment to the internationalization of degree programs is also worthy of mention. This includes establishing cooperation with the Chinese University in Qingdao, the Universidad Nacional de San Juan in Argentina, and the German-Argentine University Center.
Prof. Griese was equally popular with colleagues and students. His helpful and conscientious manner, his exemplary commitment, and his diligence were greatly appreciated. Despite all the constraints and necessities of everyday university life, Prof. Griese always managed to put humanity at the center of his actions and decisions. His colleagues knew him as a critical mind, but at the same time friendly, warm, and approachable. Prof. Griese was a valued mentor, especially to younger colleagues, whom he patiently supported with advice and assistance.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and all those who were close to him.
We will always remember Prof. Griese fondly.
University of Siegen, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, October 2025
