By Wytske Fokkens & Claire Hopkins
It is with shock and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved friend, Valentin, who left us on June 3rd. Valentin was a bright, kind, and loving individual who touched the lives of everyone who knew him.
Valentin started and ended his medical career at the Medical University Graz. He was a research fellow and resident and PhD student under Prof Heinz Stammberger. But he also did a clinical fellowship for Rhinology, Skull Base and Head and Neck in Toronto.
From early age on he helped Heinz to organise the international and National FESS courses in Graz. Later he became member of the organising committee of Endovienna2012 and Austrian National Congress for ENT 2013. Since 2017 he was associate professor at the Medical University of Graz. He participated as faculty in many FESS and skull base courses around the world.
From a very young age, Valentin was active in the junior member boards of the ERS and EAACI and when he became senior very soon was elected as treasurer in the board of ERS. The board of ERS cherished his wise and thoughtful comments but also the many evenings of intense joy and laughter.
Valentin was always kind, but also very sure of what and why he did things. His thoughtful approach to life and his unwavering principles made him a role model for many. After the completely unexpected passing away of Heinz in 2018, Valentin, who earlier doubted where he wanted to live and work, chose to follow the spirit and work of his beloved mentor and carry on the Rhinology tradition in Graz. He also wanted to give optimal possibilities to the career of his beloved wife Anita.
We are fortunate in rhinology to be surrounded by warm and wonderful people –Valentin was surely one of the best of us; kind, compassionate and a much loved friend and colleague. He had large shoes to fill, yet he did so admirably and should have had so much more to come, including welcoming his first child.
He will be deeply missed by the whole ENT community, and certainly the ERS family, of which he was such an important member. Our hearts go out to Anita and his parents during this incredibly difficult time.
For those who will be at the meeting in Dublin, we will gather together informally after the opening ceremony to find comfort amongst friends. We will look to a more formal way to honour him at the ERS next year when we have had time to process his loss.
Rest in peace, dear Valentin. You will forever be in our hearts.
