It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of our longtime friend and supporter, Kurt Mittler. He passed away on June 18, 2026, at the age of 88.
With Kurt’s passing, we lose not only an exceptionally dedicated colleague, but above all a person who, through his energy, reliability, and great personal commitment, contributed significantly to the creation of our observatory. He was one of our earliest supporters and was always there when help was needed—often working behind the scenes, without fanfare, but always giving his all. Whether it was picking up the 80-cm telescope from Wendelstein, dismantling and transporting the dome from Wettzell, serving as construction manager during the erection of the dome building, or putting in countless hours of hard physical labor on the construction site—Kurt could always be found wherever a hand was needed. His dedication was invaluable and played a decisive role in shaping our observatory.
The observatory also bears a piece of his legacy. His work will remain visible far beyond his lifetime—in every part of the building and on every night of observation made possible there. We owe Kurt Mittler our deepest gratitude. We will never forget his dedication, his friendship, and his humanity. Our sympathies go out to his family and all his loved ones. We will honor Kurt’s memory.
The members of the STScI e.V.
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