Germany: Hans-Jürgen Zimmermann, the founder of INFORM, has passed away at the age of 92 years.
Zimmermann held degrees in engineering and a PhD in mathematical economics and business administration from the Technical University of Berlin. He subsequently became a professor at RWTH Aachen University and was its Chair of Operations Research from 1967 to the late 1990s. In 1969 he founded INFORM (Institute for Operations Research and Management). His goal was to demonstrate the entrepreneurial added value of intelligent algorithms as a core business activity. INFORM subsequently evolved into a prominent supplier of intelligent decision support products.
On the academic side of his career, he also became a professor at the University of Illinois and held teaching positions at various universities in India, Europe and the US. He received his first Honorary Doctorate from the Free University of Brussels and his second Honorary Doctorate from the Abo Akademi University, Finland. In 1985 he received the EURO Gold Medal, the highest distinction in Operations Research in Europe. Many other awards and accolades followed. He published over 240 papers in the areas of Operations Research, Decision Theory and Fuzzy Set Theory, 30 books in English and German in similar areas and was the editor of various journals including the International Journal for Fuzzy Sets and Systems. Notable academic society and association roles included becoming president of the German Operations Research Society and more.
INFORM says, “Prof. Zimmermann’s pioneering academic achievements were always inseparable from his humanistic values. Alongside his analytical brilliance, he was distinguished by a deeply humane and unifying spirit. As a mentor and trusted companion, he inspired, supported, and shaped the lives of countless people.” It continues, “For him, INFORM was always also a community of people working together with joy, responsibility, and trust. A family-friendly culture, mutual respect, and an awareness of the meaning of one’s work were not mere ideals to him, but convictions he lived by.”
He remained closely connected to INFORM as the main shareholder, advisor and mentor until the end.
