In memoriam: Konrad Osterwalder, former Rector and Interim President
Konrad Osterwalder was Rector of ETH Zurich from 1995 to 2006, and also served as Interim President during a difficult period. He played a central role in making ETH Zurich an open, international and innovative university and was a gifted teacher and mentor. He sadly passed away on 19 December at the age of 83.
In Konrad Osterwalder ETH Zurich mourns the loss of a figure who left a lasting mark on the university, particularly in the area of teaching. He was a gifted teacher and mentor who will be remembered by generations of students and doctoral students. In his role as Rector, he systematically introduced teaching evaluations across the university. He was also responsible for transforming the ETH Study Conference into a forum for exchange between the Rectorate and those responsible for the degree programmes. During his twelve years as Rector, he placed great emphasis on teaching and highlighted its importance for the university.
A pioneer of modern teaching
Konrad Osterwalder also made his mark nationally and internationally as a pioneer of the implementation of the Bologna reform to introduce the Bachelor's/Master's system. His belief that ETH Zurich needed to join forces with leading technical universities in Europe in order to help shape the European higher education area led him to establish the IDEA League. Since 1999, ETH Zurich has been part of this network of leading European technical universities, including TU Delft and RWTH Aachen University; Chalmers University of Technology and Politecnico di Milano joined later. Osterwalder was also president of CESAER, the European Association of Universities of Technology, and a member of numerous university and research councils.
An impressive international research career
Born on 3 June 1942 in Frauenfeld in the canton of Thurgau, Konrad Osterwalder studied physics at ETH Zurich from 1961 to 1965 and philosophy at the University of Zurich. In 1970, he obtained his doctorate in theoretical physics under Klaus Hepp and Res Jost. His work in the field of constructive quantum field theory was awarded the ETH Medal and the Kern Prize.
His international research career first took the young researcher to the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. He then moved to Harvard University, where he worked as an assistant professor from 1973 and later as an associate professor. In 1977, Konrad Osterwalder returned to ETH Zurich, where he taught as a full professor of mathematical physics.
Konrad Osterwalder's research focused on the field of mathematical physics with a particular interest in the mathematical structure of relativistic quantum field theory and other problems in elementary particle physics and statistical mechanics. His work on axiomatic quantum field theory and, in particular, the Osterwalder-Schrader axioms are world-renowned.
After his retirement, Konrad Osterwalder continued his international career as Rector of the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo from 2007 to 2013. Under his leadership, the UNU was structurally strengthened and modernised. Just a few months ago, the Japanese Emperor awarded him the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun for his services to this university.
Diverse roles in the service of ETH Zurich
Before Konrad Osterwalder took over as Rector of ETH Zurich in 1995, he held numerous institutional roles, having an impact on ETH Zurich, its students and staff for decades. From 1978 to 1985, he was a member of the Research Commission, then head of the Department of Mathematics for four years, and from 1990 to 1995 a member and president of the Planning Commission. In these committees and also as a member of the Executive Board, Konrad Osterwalder was always independent and ambitious in his thinking and actions. He was a far-sighted doer and shaper, and a striking personality with strong opinions, which he resolutely defended.
It is therefore not surprising that Konrad Osterwalder also served as interim president of ETH Zurich during the turbulent months from the end of 2006 to August 2007, supporting the ETH Board and the Federal Council. With diplomatic skill, he succeeded in keeping ETH Zurich together during these difficult times and preparing it for his successor, Ralph Eichler.
Konrad Osterwalder also attached great importance to maintaining good relations with Italian-speaking Switzerland; among other things, he played a key role in the founding and development of the Centro Stefano Franscini in Ascona and the Villa Garbald seminar centre in Castasegna GR.
Konrad Osterwalder died on 19 December 2025 at the age of 83. The members of ETH Zurich, his former staff and students, and his colleagues will remember him fondly and with great respect.