Axel Homburg — On his 65th Birthday

Abstract

At a meeting held in 1969, the research and development director of Dynamit Nobel AG's Liebenau facility was full of praise about a recently recruited colleague who would go far in his opinion. Events proved him entirely correct, for Dr. Axel Homburg, the object of the director's enthusiasm, was entrusted with the management of the explosives research and development department as early as 1972. In 1980, he took over the management of the military technology division, and in 1983, he was made a member of the board of directors, which he chaired from 1987 until the time of his retirement, when he joined the supervisory board. Dr. Homburg's natural friendliness, diplomatic deftness, and profound knowledge of military technology, particularly propellants and explosives, have made him not only a sought-after expert but also a welcome guest. Thus, in many years of service as spokesman of the BDI Defence Industry Working Group and the German Section of the NATO Industrial Group he has won universal recognition not only in Germany but all over the world. Because of this, he is now an active, trend-setting member of many decision-making bodies including, for instance, his commitment on behalf of Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics (PEP), a scientific and technical journal of global renown. On frequent occasions, editors and employees of PEP gladly use and appreciate his extraordinary store of information and advice. For many years, Dr. Homburg has been closely associated with PEP through his membership in the advisory and editorial advisory boards, and all who benefit from this journal, which is almost unique in its field, fervently wish that Dr. Homburg may be around for a long while yet to lend advice and assistance. His scientific ambitions have led him to maintain, from the very start of his career, close links with the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) of Pfinztal-Berg-hausen near Karlsruhe, where the PEP's editorial office is located. In 1983, he was co-opted into the ICT's board of governors, which he has chaired since 1994. During the latter period, in which the Institute changed the orientation of its scientific activities, his influence on developments was vast and lasting. At this year's meeting of the ICT board of governors Dr. Homburg was confirmed in office for another term of three years. In recognition of his important services, Dr. Axel Homburg was awarded the Order of Merit by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany. When Dr. Homburg retired in 1997 in a move that resembled a retreat not so much as an advance, he was asked whether he was now returning to a regime of unlimited spare time. After brief consideration, he replied in effect that while he had as little time to spare as before, he was now allotting it differently. Thus, he was indulging himself by getting up one hour later and taking ample time to read his paper, but in all other respects things were pretty much the same To be sure, we would all like to see Dr. Homburg taking more time to enjoy his hobbies, such as savouring a drop of good wine or a glass of outstanding champagne. May he have occasion to pander to these passions, now that he is able to retreat to his second home in Spain more often, and may he find the time there to place his expertise at the service of PEP – or whatever. We, the editors and readers of PEP, all wish that you, dear Dr. Homburg, may remain available to us all for advice and assistance, and that you may continue to enjoy your usual energy in the next year as well as in many more years to come.