Professor of theoretical physics at the universities of Bochum, Essen and Marburg; founding president of the University of Essen, president of the University of Marburg, chairman of the board of DLR, member of ESA Council, president of the Helmholtz Association of national research centers. Vice-president of ESF, first chairman of Acare. Hon. degrees: Univ. Heidelberg, Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Canada, Peking Univ. (BUAA). Small planet (9187) "Walterkröll".