Bertram Arbesser-Rastburg

Dear Elfriede and family, I was deeply saddened to learn of Bertram's passing, and sorry to have taken such a time before writing here. I have started my career in ESTEC back in 2010 in Bertram's division, so I am grateful to have had him as my boss in the first years in the agency. He was a very supportive person with a positive and reassuring attitude. Always smiling, always welcoming, always kind. It is evident from all the messages that he left only positives memories to all of us. I really want to express all my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.

Liebe Familie, mein herzliches Beileid. Bertram war einer der ersten Kollegen, dem ich begegnet bin, als ich vor 23 Jahren in ESA angefangen habe. Ich erinnere mich gut, dass Bertram immer ein aufmunterndes Wort fuer mich hatte. Selbst in den Jahren danach, wenn wir uns begegnet sind, hat er sich immer Zeit genommen zu fragen wie es mir und meiner Familie geht. Bertram wird sicher vielen Kollegen als ein geduldiger, warmherziger und respektvoller Mann in Erinnerung bleiben. Ich wünsche Ihnen viel Kraft und Trost in dieser schwierigen Zeit. In stiller Anteilnahme Nadine

It is with great sorrow that we learned about Bertram's passing. He has been actively involved in the activities of The Netherlands URSI Committee. Bertram was always ready to share his knowledge and network with us and has given valuable advice on many occasions. Further to this, we will deeply miss his kind personality. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Bertram will remain in our hearts and memories. (condoleances on behalf of The Netherlands URSI Committee)

Bertram joined the Estec Electromagnetics Division of Niels Jensen in 1988, then based in the “Barracks”, and he changed our lives. Always cheerful, kindhearted, considerate, positive and also “bon vivant”, he was quickly adopted as a key “influencer” and team spirit “amplifier”. Bertram was also respected worldwide as a top scientist with major contributions in space communications, remote sensing and navigation electromagnetics. He was also a key figure in the Europe-wide Electromagnetics community as Chair of the EU COST 255 project, and as a pilar of the AP2000 and EuCAP conferences and of the EurAAP association. My thoughts are with Elfriede, Barbara,Thomas. and family.

Liebe Elfriede, liebe Familie, mit tiefem Mitgefühl habe ich vom Verlust von Bertram erfahren. In dieser schweren Zeit möchte ich euch mein herzliches Beileid aussprechen. Bertram war ein wunderbarer Mensch und sehr geschätzter Kollege. Die Erinnerungen an die gemeinsamen Momente werden ihn immer in unserem Herzen weiterleben lassen. In dieser schweren Zeit wünsche ich euch viel Kraft und Trost. Mögen euch die gemeinsamen Erinnerungen Halt geben. In stiller Anteilnahme, Doris

Beside Bertram’s renown technical expertise and leadership, forever I will remember his smile, sense of humor and kindness. The number of messages of sympathy from his former colleagues are therefore not a surprise. I had heard that Bertram had kept himself very active after his retirement, opting for much more manual, physical activities in the beautiful Austrian nature. Hence, the sad news came as a real shock to me and I cannot imagine the loss this is for his family and all his loved ones. In thoughts with Bertram’s family and friends during these very sad moments and be sure that Bertram will continue to live in our memory.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Bertram's passing, but also filled with many good memories and grateful that our life paths crossed. I met Bertram shortly after he joined ESA and was supported by him on many occasions. He gave many precious contributions to ESA Earth Observation; among them, I was lucky to have his enthusiastic help when developing atmospheric sounding by GNSS radio occultation, finally realised as new sensing for better weather forecasts on the MetOp satellites. Besides remembering Bertram as a brilliant Colleague, I cherish the memories of his warm and positive spirit. In the latter parts of our careers, when we had to discuss about some divergences among the groups that we managed, our meetings always ended with a good laughter together. He was a kind gentleman and will be much missed. My thoughts are now with his family and close friends, to whom I express my heartfelt condoleances. Pierluigi

It was with great sadness that I heard the news. I had the honour of working with Bertram on various topics: initially related to wave/atmosphere interactions, later we as a group received support from his collaborators on various topics using passive and active methods. Bertram was always a very supportive, knowledgeable and pleasant professional and overall a true gentleman. Bertram was dedicated to his work and the people working for and with him. My sincere condolences to Bertram's family. Paul