We are saddened to hear of the passing of Univ. Prof. Dr. Othmar Förster, who died peacefully on October 29th at the age of 98. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Othmar Förster studied medicine in Innsbruck from 1945-51 and completed his specialist in internal medicine at the University of Vienna, Department of Internal Medicine II from 1951-60. After a two-year postdoc stay at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, he was at the then Institute for General and Experimental Pathology (today: Institute for Pathophysiology and Allergy Research) from July 1962 to December 1992. employed. The research work of his immunopathology working group, which he led since 1972, dealt, among other things, with inflammation, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, as well as cellular defense mechanisms, especially the role of macrophages. After completing his habilitation in 1976, he became professor of general and experimental pathology in 1980. From March 1982 (Prof. Lindner’s retirement) to September 1983 (Professor Peterlik’s appointment) he was head of the institute and from 1983 to 1992 deputy head of the institute.
Prof. Förster was a passionate teacher for medical students and mentor to numerous research assistants at the institute. Some of his students remained at the MedUni Vienna or became heads of departments at Vienna hospitals. He was co-editor and co-author of several textbooks and conference proceedings and has organized several national and international conferences.
Prof. Othmar Förster was characterized by his unifying nature, which was based on his interest in many different medical-scientific areas. In addition, his extensive general knowledge and his fine sense of humor were greatly appreciated by everyone and always made him an interesting and interested conversation partner.
Even in his well-deserved retirement, Prof. Förster continued to regularly take part in various scientific events, in particular the annual congress of the Austrian Society for Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI), where he stood out particularly positively due to his continued focus on current scientific issues even in old age. As one of the first people to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, he will also be remembered as a testimonial for the importance of vaccinations!
On behalf of all members of the Institute for Pathophysiology & Allergy Research and the Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology at MedUni Vienna
