Jochen Fanghänel was born on April 3, 1939 in Frankenberg/Saxony and graduated from high school in Frankenberg in 1957. His father worked as a lawyer in the Ministry of Finance in Dresden and was killed in action during the Second World War. Due to his academic background, he was initially denied the opportunity to study at university in the former GDR. He therefore completed an apprenticeship with the Deutsche Reichsbahn and was trained as a signalman and small engine driver. By a stroke of luck, his great talent was recognized and after a short time the Deutsche Reichsbahn delegated him to study medicine at the University of Rostock. He completed his medical studies in 1965 and in the same year was appointed assistant to his great role model, patron and highly esteemed academic teacher, Gert-Horst Schumacher. He was awarded his doctorate in medicine in 1966 and passed his specialist examination in anatomy in 1969. At the same time, he completed a second degree in dentistry in Rostock. In 1971, Jochen Fanghänel became senior physician and deputy director of the institute. In 1976, he habilitated on craniofacial growth. In 1977, he accepted an appointment at the Ernst Moritz Arndt University in Greifswald and was Director of the Institute of Anatomy in Greifswald from 1977 to 2005. Jochen Fanghänel declined further appointments. In Greifswald, his research focused on craniofacial growth and teratology as well as the function of the pancreas and reproductive organs. Jochen Fanghänel has supervised 8 habilitations and more than 200 doctoral students and is the author/co-author of over 300 publications and numerous specialist books. From 1975 to 2017, Jochen Fanghänel was editorial secretary, deputy editor and editor of the Anatomischer Anzeiger/Annals of Anatomy. Jochen Fanghänel is an honorary member of the Anatomical Societies of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania and holder of the Karl Lohmann Medal. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on September 1, 2024, surrounded by his family.
In Jochen Fanghänel, the Anatomical Society has lost a highly esteemed and endearing colleague who was known far beyond the borders of the discipline and will always remember him with honor.
The Secretary on behalf of the Board of the Anatomische Gesellschaft
