In Memory of Rian van Staden: Former ISES Executive Director passed away

In late September, ISES and the global solar and renewables community learned of the passing of Rian van Staden, ISES Executive Director from 2001 to 2005.

As we share the grief of family, friends and colleagues from all around the world, ISES, the Board of Directors and the team at ISES HQ want to express our sincere gratitude to Rian for his important work both for ISES and renewable energy worldwide.

Rian first joined ISES in 1994/1995 when the ISES Headquarters moved from Melbourne, Australia to its new home in Freiburg, Germany, the Villa Tannheim. He was one of the first new team members at the newly established headquarters and was responsible for all IT matters. Right away, Rian got to work on and experience significant moments of ISES history such as the first-ever EuroSun conference held in Freiburg in 1996, just one year after the team had moved into the new headquarters. As the ISES IT expert, Rian was responsible for taking ISES online and sharing knowledge with solar enthusiasts from all around the world through his management of “WIRE”, the Worldwide Information System for Renewable Energy including online publications and membership services.

In 1998, Rian became Deputy Executive Director and eventually Executive Director of ISES in 2001. At this time, Rian had to take on the difficult task of leading ISES operations into the 21st century which came with a downsizing of staff. Fortunately, Rian and colleagues at the time through their hard work secured successful funding from the European Union which allowed ISES to continue successful operations and to take on new projects.

Rian left ISES in 2005 to continue his work for renewable energy and during the last years, he coordinated the Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform (Global100RE) as friendships and cooperation with many members of the ISES community continued throughout the years.

ISES friends and colleagues past and present extend their heartfelt condolence and share their memories of Rian:

ISES Immediate Past President Dave Renné: “I am very saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague, Rian van Staden.  I first got to know Rian when I joined ISES in the early 2000s.  At the time Rian was serving as the ISES Executive Director.  In the subsequent years I had many productive and enjoyable encounters with Rian, particularly after I joined the Board in 2004 and became president of ISES in 2010, when he offered me much support and guidance.  More recently, I was heartened when I learned he would serve as the Executive Director of the Global100RE Platform, where we continued our good relationship.  I will miss Rian very much, and I send my deepest condolences to his wife Maryke.”

ISES Past President Yogi Goswami: “I found Rian to be a great person to work with during my tenure as the President of ISES. He worked very hard for the success of ISES.”

ISES Past President Torben Esbensen: “I had the great pleasure of working closely together with Rian van Staden in the period 1997 – 2005 in which period I functioned as Treasurer for ISES. I remember Rian as a skilful and enterprising organizer in the ISES Secretariat. He had many very good ideas for new initiatives. Rian was also very helpful to me in organizing the ISES conference “EuroSun 2000” in Copenhagen. I will remember Rian with joy and respect.”

ISES Past President Monica Oliphant: “Rian worked at ISES HQ from the time it moved to Freiburg from Australia in 1995. He was Executive Director for 4 years, 2001 – 2005, and it was a pleasure to work with him and Maryke in my early days at ISES. Rian was a very innovative person, especially in the area of IT where he introduced to ISES the World-wide Information System for Renewable Energy (WIRE) at a time when such initiatives were in their infancy.  He was a dedicated promoter of renewables and a good communicator. I remember with gratitude the help I received from Rian during my time as ISES President and also the fun time I had with him and Maryke when I accompanied them on tours after the Solar World Congress in Florida in 2005. Rian died much too young and will be remembered for his passion and dedication to the promotion of Renewable Energy. My sincere condolences to Maryke.”

ISES President Klaus Vajen expresses great sadness of the ISES community upon Rian’s passing. “Rian van Staden initiated many developments during his time as Executive Director that still have a positive impact almost 20 years after his departure from ISES.”

ISES Board Member Christine Lins: “During his tenure at ISES and later on as coordinator of the 100 % Renewable Energy Platform, he worked tirelessly to promote a global energy transition with renewable energy and energy efficiency.”

ISES Board Member Chiel Boonstra: I have been working with Rian and Maryke at the time they both worked at ISES. Rian was instrumental in the launch of the International Solar Cities Initiative as a spin-off of ISES, and with connections to ICLEI. ISCI managed to run a number of Solar Cities congresses all over the globe. Rian continued his professional life with his own company with incredible knowledge of computer systems and automated information flows. Maryke moved to ICLEI and I have kept relations in a few collaborative European Commission-funded projects. It is sad to learn that Rian passed away so early. I wish Maryke all strength in such difficult times.”

Rolf Behringer, ISES & Solare Zukunft: It is sad and painful to lose a colleague and friend for the energy transition. I got to know Rian as ISES Executive Director at the Headquarters in Freiburg, Germany. When working together, his ideas and visions were inspiring for me. I will miss him, but keep our common visions. Thank you, Rian! My sincere condolences to his wife Maryke.

Jennifer McIntosh, Former Executive Secretary of ISES: “I was deeply saddened to hear the news that Rian van Staden passed away. The renewable energy community has lost a truly dedicated pioneer. I have fond memories of working with and learning from Rian when I first joined the ISES team. I will remember him for his commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, as well as his enthusiasm and aptitude for creating and implementing innovative technical solutions. He will be missed greatly. My sincere condolences go out to Maryke, their families and friends.”

The ISES team in Freiburg, past and current colleagues who worked with Rian, expresses our sincere condolences to Rian’s family and friends. Rian will always have a home at ISES HQ where we will remember him as a colleague and friend.

To Rian’s wife Maryke, we send our condolences and wish her strength and courage during this difficult time.