Within the past week a remembrance gathering has already been held in the Department of Electrical Engineering, providing the opportunity to talk about the missing Professor Emeritus and former Program Director. A week ago in Georgia, Otten's wife saw how he slipped and fell into a fast-flowing river. Initial search and rescue activities were unable to find any trace of him.

This morning Professor Twan Basten informed staff of EE by email that news was released yesterday evening that the mortal remains of Ralph Otten had been found. Otten and his wife were on vacation in Georgia visiting American friends.

Twan Basten, who succeeded Otten two years ago, says that within the department and university news of Otten's death was met with dejection and sorrow. For fifteen years over the course of his scientific career, Basten had been mentored by Otten. He says that in response to Otten's unaccounted whereabouts this past week he has received very many emails and a good deal of support. "Ralph also had many contacts in Delft and the United States, and there too people were shocked by his being missing."

In the email sent this morning, Basten wishes Otten's wife and his family and friends fortitude at this time. This afternoon a remembrance gathering will be held in Flux 0.300 at 13.45 hours.