Obituary: Claus J. Raidl

The community at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg mourns the loss of Claus J. Raidl, who has passed away at the age of 82. Claus Raidl, who served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees from the foundation of the Institute up to 2023, had a profound impact on the successful development, growth and independence of ISTA.

“You simply cannot discuss ISTA’s history and accomplishments over the past 15 years without mentioning Claus Raidl,“ says President Martin Hetzer. “I have never worked with someone more energetic and larger-than-life. Claus was a dynamic individual who leveraged his extensive management experience and intelligence to shape the Institute as Chairman of the Board. The Institute owes him a great debt, and we will continue to work tirelessly every day to honor and build upon the foundation he laid. Our sincere condolences go out to his family.”

Raidl helped shape the Institute over a period of nearly two decades since its foundation as Chair of the Board of Trustees, a member of the Executive Committee, and a non-voting member of the Scientific Board from 2006 to 2023.

“Despite his many successes, Claus Raidl was exceptionally modest and self-deprecating. He always recognized the importance of the independence of science. He understood that world-class science at ISTA could only thrive under the right conditions and recognized his role in securing them,” says Hetzer. “He consistently highlighted the contributions of others in collaborative projects. His profound knowledge and intuitive understanding of the Austrian political and economic landscape, along with his connections, mediation, and advice, were invaluable to ISTA.”

“Claus often referred to ‘curiosity-driven basic research’ as his mantra,” the ISTA President recalls. “He understood that in science, immediate results or applications cannot always be expected. Scientists need the freedom and autonomy to pursue their curiosity wherever it leads them. Those in the scientific field understand that these explorations can be time-consuming and may sometimes result in dead ends. Claus was well aware of this. During the formative years of ISTA, he played a crucial role in cultivating an environment where world-class research could flourish.”

From economy to science

Claus J. Raidl, born on November 6, 1942, in Kapfenberg, Styria, earned his PhD in Commerce and Economics from the Hochschule für Welthandel (now Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien) in 1971. He held numerous leadership roles in both private and state-owned industries. From 1991 to 2010, Raidl served as the CEO of Böhler-Uddeholm and was the President of the Austrian National Bank from 2008 to 2018. Additionally, he was Vice President of the European Forum Alpbach from 2012 to 2020. Raidl was a significant influence within the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung). As a dedicated advocate for ISTA, he effectively highlighted the benefits and opportunities a world-class research institute could offer to Austrian industry. Many early donations and sponsorships for ISTA were a result of Raidl’s enthusiastic support and his ability to persuade others of the institute’s value.

An example for the future

Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, who took over the position as Chair of the Board at ISTA from Claus Raidl in 2023, underlined the successes of her predecessor: “Claus Raidl’s chairpersonship of the ISTA Board of Trustees for so many years was formative for the Institute. His passionate commitment to the independence of science and the Institute served as an example to me and our fellow board members. We will continue to do our utmost to preserve these success factors and the autonomy of the Institute, to ensure it stays a place with the best conditions for researchers and other staff. While we are doing so in Claus Raidl’s spirit, he will be dearly missed.”