In memoriam of

Dr Utz P. Merten

22.07.1942 – 11.01-2025

Dr. Utz P. Merten was born on July 22, 1942 and in his professional activity as a clinical pathologist, standing out mainly in three of his specialties, such as: Microbiology, Virology and Infection Epidemiology, he finally left us his legacy and his life on January 11, 2025 in his hometown of Cologne at the age of 82 after battling a long illness.

He was characterized by his union activities in associative medical policy as well as decades of work in Laboratory Medicine. In 1976 he began as a member of the Medical Union in Germany and then between 1986 and 1993 he was president of the regional group of North Rhine. For eight years, until 1994, he also served on the federal board of the Medical Union of Germany.

He was a distinguished member of the professional association of German laboratory physicians. As expected, he was already president of the World Association of Societies for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (WASPaLM) from 2008 to 2011.

In addition, he was president of the World Pathology Foundation of WASPaLM from 2008 to 2010. In recognition of his numerous achievements, Dr. Merten was awarded the highest honor of WASPaLM with the “Golden Rod.” Among his works, he was the author of the book “Laboratory Medicine – Basis of Medical Diagnostics – History of Laboratory Medicine and its Societies in Germany.”

THANK YOU AND REST IN PEACE!