The BfS mourns the loss of its founding president

On 15 December 2023, the former President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Alexander Kaul, passed away at the age of 89. The BfS mourns the loss of a highly esteemed professional and personal leader, who left his mark on the office in a way that only a very few could have done. Kaul advised the Federal Government after the Chornobyl (russ.: Chernobyl) disaster in 1986 and headed the BfS from its foundation in 1989 until 1999.

He earned his doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics in Frankfurt am Main. He then headed the Department of Physics and Radiation Protection at the Free University of Berlin in the Clinic for Nuclear Medicine in Steglitz. After his habilitation, he taught at the medical faculty at the Steglitz Clinic as well as in the Faculty of Physics at the Free University of Berlin. There he was instrumental in establishing the subject of medical physics in Germany.

In 1981, Kaul took over the management of the Institute for Radiation Hygiene at the Federal Health Office in Neuherberg near Munich. This gave rise to the BfS, headquartered in Salzgitter, in 1989. He headed this as President until 1999. Kaul led the BfS out of conviction and fought for radiation protection with great determination. He initiated many pioneering strategies and projects in this field.

Kaul was highly regarded both nationally and internationally as a radiation protection expert. He was active in various national and international scientific organisations for radiation protection and physics and received numerous scientific awards. In 1983 he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit and in 1988 the Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class.

Kaul's commitment to radiation protection never lacked humanity and mutual respect. For his employees, he was not just a superior but also a teacher, mentor, and role model. His inspiring and appreciative manner will be long remembered. Our sympathies go out to his wife and son.