A Final Farewell to Professor Hans Rummel
30.09.2026 | 2 min. czytania
It is with deep sadness that we received news of the death of Professor Hans Rummel of Hochschule Bremerhaven, Doctor honoris causa of Gdynia Maritime University, initiator of cooperation between Hochschule Bremerhaven and our University, and a long-standing friend of our entire academic community. The roots of this cooperation date back to 1976 and the visit of the Dar Pomorza to Bremen.
Professor Hans Rummel was a respected academic and an internationally recognised specialist in Maritime English. From 1978 onwards, he visited Gdynia Maritime University almost every year, delivering courses in maritime communication in English to the University's students. As a lecturer, he also took part in training voyages lasting several months aboard the Dar Młodzieży, including the Regatta Colon 92 and Osaka 98 voyages. On his initiative, the Association of Friends of Dar Młodzieży was founded in Germany in 1993 to support the activities of Gdynia Maritime University's training frigate.
A special expression of recognition for his achievements and his long-standing ties with our academic community was the conferral upon Professor Hans Rummel, on 6 October 2023, of the degree of Doctor honoris causa of Gdynia Maritime University. Professor Hans Rummel was the first representative of the academic community from outside Poland to receive this honour from our University. During the ceremony, Rector Professor Adam Weintrit called him a 'true symbol' of cooperation between Gdynia Maritime University and Hochschule Bremerhaven.
For his achievements and exceptional contributions to the development of Polish-German academic cooperation, Professor Hans Rummel was decorated by the President of the Republic of Poland with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. Gdynia Maritime University also honoured him with the title of For Meritorious Service to Gdynia Maritime University, while the Senate of Hochschule Bremerhaven appointed him an Honorary Member of the Senate.
We bid farewell to an outstanding academic, a friend of the Dar Młodzieży, and above all a dear friend of Gdynia Maritime University. His commitment, kindness and contribution to building relations between our Universities will remain in our memory forever.
The Rector, Senate and Academic Community of Gdynia Maritime University extend their deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.