After a lifetime of devotion to the carotenoid world, Kurt Bernhard lost his battle with cancer at the end of 2021. Kurt graduated in chemistry and obtained his PhD at the University of Bern in his native Switzerland, under the guidance of Hanspeter Pfander. He then spent a stimulating time in London as a post-doctoral researcher in the renowned carotenoid research group of B.C.L. Weedon, before returning to Switzerland to begin a career in the Vitamins and Fine Chemicals Division of the company F. Hoffmann – La Roche. Through the vision of Otto Isler, Roche embarked on an ambitious major effort to produce carotenoids, and Isler assembled a productive and innovative team of highly skilled and motivated researchers to devise methods for the economic commercial sythesis of a variety of carotenoids, particularly xanthophylls. Kurt became a member of this team and was particularly involved with the synthesis and application of astaxanthin, including devising an efficient method for converting canthaxanthin into astaxanthin. His published plenary lecture on ‘Synthetic Astaxanthin: The Route of a Carotenoid from Research to Commercialisation’, presented at the 8th International Symposium on Carotenoids in Boston in 1987, is an authoritative review of all aspects of the production and applications of astaxanthin. Although he specialized in synthesis, he also had wide experience of many aspects of carotenoid purification, chemistry and applications.
This allowed him to make a significant contribution to the wider carotenoid field. He was, for example, an active member of the International Editorial Advisory Board for the Carotenoids book series, and contributed chapters on ‘Column Chromatography’ (in Vol. 1A), ‘Infrared Spectroscopy’ (in Vol. 1B), and ‘Enol-ether Coupling’ (in Vol.2). He also provided valuable information from literature surveys, and spectroscopic data, for the Carotenoids Handbook.
Kurt was also an active member of the ICS. He was one of the nine members of the steering committee which was set up in 2003 to oversee the details of the establishment of the Society, which was officially inaugurated in 2006. Since then, Kurt has served periods on the Council of the Society and as Treasurer. At the 17th ICS Symposium in Utah in 2014, Kurt received the President’s award for a lifetime of special service to the carotenoid field and, in 2017, at the 18th ICS Symposium in Lucerne, he had the honour of ICS Fellow bestowed on him.
In the 1990s, Kurt left his employment in Roche and, together with Hanspeter Pfander, set up a new company, CaroteNature, a worldwide distributor of carotenoids, including high-purity analytical standards. He retired from his position as Chief Executive Officer recently.
Because of his research achievements, Kurt Bernhard was a major figure in the carotenoid world. But he was also notable for the unpublicized advice and help he freely and quietly gave to many people. He leaves many friends in the carotenoid family who will miss him and who are greatly saddened by his passing.
