Staff News
In this section we will collect all news and information on our Padang and West Sumatra colleagues and friends.
22.01.24: Rest in Peace, Thomas Gloerfelt-Tarp
Our dear friend and colleague Thomas Gloerfelt-Tarp passed away on 05. January 2024. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
words and Thanks and condolence from Andreas
Andreas could not attend the funeral ceremony. Instead Rob presented his words of thanks and condolence to Thomas and his family:
“In June 1985, a greenhorn MSc in Fisheries arrived in Padang (West-Sumatra) and was heading into the middle of nowhere, to meet his new Boss. GTZ colleagues instructed me, not to arrive without a crate of Bintang Beer - apparently precious goods in the jungle. This was the best investment of my life, as the CBR (cost benefit ratio) was multidimensional!
Thomas was the best mentor I ever had, and he, his humor, his cynical comments, his dope enriched my future life and career in many ways. Thanks to his open house and open heart’s philosophy we visited each other in many locations of this beautiful world. I will never forget Christmas in Bangalow, in the middle of his big and lovely family.
Now he went fishing without me, and I will miss him very much.”
“In June 1985, a greenhorn MSc in Fisheries arrived in Padang (West-Sumatra) and was heading into the middle of nowhere, to meet his new Boss. GTZ colleagues instructed me, not to arrive without a crate of Bintang Beer - apparently precious goods in the jungle. This was the best investment of my life, as the CBR (cost benefit ratio) was multidimensional!
Thomas was the best mentor I ever had, and he, his humor, his cynical comments, his dope enriched my future life and career in many ways. Thanks to his open house and open heart’s philosophy we visited each other in many locations of this beautiful world. I will never forget Christmas in Bangalow, in the middle of his big and lovely family.
Now he went fishing without me, and I will miss him very much.”
Comments of ADP and Ophir team members
It is very sad to hear that the legendary Thomas Tarp has died. I met him in Sukamenanti when I was lucky enough to be able to take over his beautiful house because he was leaving and my family were on the way. I had the choice of another bigger one but it was clear that Thomas’ house was the best option with his lovely pool and the whole house deeply steeped in Thomas’ way of life and living. I remember him removing his stylish door knobs and putting back the originals. His pembanti Mas, who stayed on to settle us in. I remember him urging me to slow down and not walk so fast…out of keeping with the Sukamenanti vibe. I remember his encyclopaedic book of west Sumatran fish and his charisma and charm. I remember him as a Norseman. Mark Hayton would always pass on the latest news about Thomas when we got together.
Hmm, that house, Thomas’ house in Sukamenanti. Such happy and contented few years we spent there with young children and few cares, living off the market.
Greetings from Sicily, I hope you are well.
So sorry to hear about Helmut and Thomas. Thanks for letting me know. I have fond memories of them both. How different they were. Helmut, as I knew him, was the intense intellectual whereas Thomas, again as I knew him, was the bon viveur.
Thomas will be remembered for his famous pool parties. Here he was in his element, entertaining us all with food, drink and witty stories and songs. Behind the entertainer though was a very knowledgeable professional and I learned a lot about 'fishes' and fishing. What special times they were, never to be repeated. I didn't realize at the time how groundbreaking the whole GTZ/KfW project was. I am glad, I was involved.
Really sad news, we lost a very good friend and colleague, a very dedicated marine experts and Thomas was very generous with his knowledges and networks. Rest in peace Thomas.
Perhaps he’s gone fishing, or wandering the forest mushroom hunting … RIP Thomas
I will attend his funeral tomorrow; didn’t know he stayed in Holland. Still remember his lovely house in Sukamenanti, his sense of humor and fore and foremost his kindness!
That is very sad news, I have many fond memories of our time together in Sukamenanti - more than anyone Thomas made it a great place to be -RIP Thomas
I will always remember meeting Thomas the last time coincidentally as neighbor in Singapore's Ladyhill Hotel in the early 90ies. R.I.P. Thomas G. Tarp
Very sad news for me too. Since I heard that he had moved to Alkmaar, I occasionally thought about reconnecting with him. Too late now.
I will never forget the beautiful tropical evenings at his house in Sukamenanti, long talks and good laughs. We also spent many hours in the Toyota Land Cruiser on dirt roads, from the fishermen project site back to Sukamenanti, talking about almost everything. R.I.P. Thomas
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un - “… Surely to Allah (God) we belong and to Him we will all return.”. May Allah bless Thomas's soul and grant him with Jannah (paradise) and give his family and us strength during this sorrowful time, Ameen ya Rabbal Alamin.
We are sorry to hear that. May he get a beautiful place up there.
Eine sehr traurige und überraschende Nachricht!
May his soul rest in peace.
When Thomas arrived in Padang, he presented to me his book “Trawled Fishes of southern Indonesia and northwestern Australia”. A remarkable scientific documentation. Before leaving Australia and moving to Alkmaar in Holland, he completed together with his co-author Patricia an up-date of this publication. On 18. February 2023 Thomas wrote to me.
Hello Dr. Speidel. Just to show you the final result and freely available from this link. Best wishes Thomas. https://www.asfb.org.au/trawled-fishes-of-southern-indonesia-and-northwestern-australia
When you study the book, you will always remember Thomas, our friend and colleague, as a truly dedicated fisherman. Rest in peace, Thomas!
Thomas on Youtube, giving an interview on food security
Horst Koreuber turned 90 years, his time in Bukittinggi (1969-1973), by Ulrich Scholz
08.07.23: REst in Peace, Helmut Kalmbach
Our dear friend and colleague Helmut Kalmbach passed away at his home on 08. July 2023. It was unexpected. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Alumni Treffen Gießen, am 02.06.2022
"VON KAIRO NACH KAPSTADT - per Anhalter durch Afrika in den Jahren 1964/65"
Eine Sommernachtsvorlesung von Prof. Ulrich Scholz mit reger Beteiligung von ADP und West-Sumatra Alumni
ALUMNI TREFFEN BERLIN, am 09.07.2022
Am 09.07.2022 trafen sich mehrere Alumni in Berlin. Who is who?
01 Helga Stamm-Berg
02 Elke Speidel
03 Brigitte Reichelt
04 Wolfram Hiemann
05 Marsella Hiemann
06 Dedo Geinitz
07 Kristin von Kistowski
08 Christoph Berg
09 Martina Bergschneider
10 Thomas Krimmel
11 Erna Rehnert
12 Dieter Speidel
Andreas Kunzmann
Andreas is both an ADP and DAAD Alumni.
Read more about his assignment from 1992 for 5 years at Bung Hatta University in Padang.
Read more about his assignment from 1992 for 5 years at Bung Hatta University in Padang.
Sari Wooster
Sari, a remarkable career. She joined the Indonesian-German Area Development Project (ADP) in West Pasaman in 1985.
She was interviewed by Ibu Wirda and Andreas Schmidt and was the best among the applicants. Now after 15 years with ADB she starts a new chapter “Retirement”. Read more about her professional life in the ADB Avenue.
She was interviewed by Ibu Wirda and Andreas Schmidt and was the best among the applicants. Now after 15 years with ADB she starts a new chapter “Retirement”. Read more about her professional life in the ADB Avenue.