University of Siegen mourns the loss of Michael Neef

It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to Mr. Michael Neef, who passed away suddenly and far too early on 4 March 2025 at the age of 59.

Michael Neef initially worked in our university administration as a Diplom-Verwaltungswirt (FH) and most recently as deputy head of the budget department. Due to his expertise, particularly in the area of resource management, he was a highly respected contact during this time. He reliably dealt with the tasks assigned to him at all times and always had an eye on finding the right solution. Very well versed in the use of IT applications relevant to finance, he was an important point of contact for all inquiries from science and administration. It was therefore only right that when the faculty was founded, Mr. Neef took the next step in his professional career and moved to the new Faculty of Education, Architecture and the Arts as Managing Director in 2011.

Michael Neef was the backbone of the faculty from day one. Here too, he performed his duties with the utmost reliability and used his expertise to make a significant and lasting contribution to the development of the faculty.

Professionally, for example, by being able to offer the right suggestions at all times in all administrative matters of the faculty. On a personal level, for example, his level-headedness often made him a rock in difficult situations. His calm composure, but also his sense of humor and the rare quality of being able to laugh at himself made him an invaluable colleague for us.

It is with deep regret that we must now bid farewell to Michael Neef. We will no longer be able to hear his laughter and will now have to manage without his sound advice. We will therefore miss him very much.

We will keep him in grateful memory. Our special sympathy goes to his family, especially his sister.