SICOT e-Newsletter
Issue No. 41 - February 2012
In Memoriam
Hans Mau
The doyen of German orthopaedics, Prof Dr Hans Mau, passed away on 14 February at the age of 91 in Tübingen.
He was born in 1921 in Kiel, studied medicine in Tübingen and Heidelberg, and became a specialist in orthopaedics in 1953. He then spent one year doing a Fellowship at several North American hospitals, including the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He became Associate Professor in 1962, and Full Professor, Chairman of the Orthopaedic Department, as well as Chair of Orthopaedics at the University of Tübingen in 1963.
His main clinical interest was paediatric orthopaedics and he introduced modern techniques in the treatment of spine deformity and paediatric hip problems. Out of his broad list of publications, the most recognised and cited are those related to paediatric orthopaedic problems.
He served the national and international orthopaedic community in many functions: he was President of the German Orthopaedic Society, President of the Society for Research of the Spine for many years, and Chairman of Orthopaedics at the German Academy Leopoldina.
Hans Mau was a strong supporter of SICOT. For over nine years he served as the German National Delegate in the International Council, hosted the International Council meeting in Tübingen in 1983, and was co-chairman of the SICOT Triennial World Congress in 1987 in Munich, Germany. SICOT awarded him with 'distinguished membership' for his outstanding contribution.
International cooperation and networking was an important target in Hans Mau's life. He founded the Japanese/German Orthopaedic Society, a Chile German Fellowship, and the very prestigious Anglo-American Fellowship.
With the death of Hans Mau, the national and international orthopaedic community lose a very prominent and respected personality. Our deepest and sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, Helgard, and their three children and seven grandchildren.
Jochen Eulert
Secretary General of SICOT