Stahlinstitut VDEh mourns the loss of Dr.-Ing. Dirk Springorum.
Dirk Springorum was born on December 11, 1932, in Bütow, Pomerania. After graduating from high school in Bad Salzuflen, he studied metallurgy at the Technical University of Aachen and the Technical University of Berlin from 1953 to 1958 and received his doctorate from the Technical University of Aachen in 1961. This was followed by positions of responsibility at Rheinstahl Hüttenwerke AG and Thyssen Henrichshütte AG in Hattingen, where he became a member of the executive board in 1979.
From 1982 until his retirement at the end of 1997, Dr. Springorum headed the VDEh office as an executive member of the board. During this time, he provided important impetus for the strategic orientation and international opening of our association. With his technical expertise and great organizational skills, he drove forward the further development of the VDEh, promoted research and young talent, and was passionately committed to consolidating and strengthening the steel industry.
His outstanding achievements have been recognized many times both in Germany and abroad. Among other things, he received the Borchers Plaque from RWTH Aachen University, the Oskar von Miller Medal in Gold from the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the Minerva Medal from the Max Planck Society, and honorary membership of the VDEh. He was made an honorary citizen of Gerhard Mercator University in Duisburg and RWTH Aachen University, as well as an honorary member of several international professional associations.
In addition to his professional activities, Dr. Springorum was involved in numerous committees, associations, and international organizations on a voluntary basis, including as first chairman of the Berg- und Hüttenmännischer Verein Essen, president of the Rotary Club Hattingen/Ruhr, and chairman of the Förderverein Werkstoff-Dokumentation in Düsseldorf.
With the passing of Dr. Dirk Springorum, the VDEh has lost an outstanding personality who championed the interests of the steel industry with passion and energy. We will honor his memory.
Our sincere condolences go to his wife Heidelis, to whom he was married since 1960, his four children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren.
The team at the Steel Institute VDEh
