Longtime University of Iowa mechanical engineering professor Christoph Beckermann passed away in April after a lengthy illness. Dean Ann McKenna extended condolences on behalf of the College of Engineering to family, colleagues, and former students.

Beckermann, 64, joined the College of Engineering in 1987 when he arrived as an assistant professor, rising through the faculty ranks before being named UI Foundation Distinguished Professor in 2000. He was a prolific researcher, producing more than 161 refereed journal papers, 174 conference papers, and six edited books. 

He was also a dedicated mentor, graduating more than 25 PhD students and 23 MS students. As director of the Solidification Laboratory, his team focused on basic experimental and computational studies of microstructure evolution to modeling and simulation of a wide variety of industrial metal casting processes.

The native of Osnabrück, Germany, was widely regarded for his contributions to the steel industry "from the steel foundry shop floor to the most advanced research labs."

"Despite his professional accolades, Christoph will be most remembered for the way he lived — with joy and deep love for those around him," his obituary stated. "He was charismatic, engaging, playful, adventurous, and cared deeply about others, always striving to treat people with kindness and integrity."

Read the obituary for Christoph Beckermann here.