I have always known Matti as a kind and friendly person with whom to interact was a true pleasure. His reserved but humorous character was in nice contrast to the often met overambitious and attitude-loaded scientists in our small scientific world. For me personally, he was a kind of father figure to whom you looked up and talked with great respect. I will certainly remember Matti not just as a great colleague but also a friend, and I deeply regret that we lost him so early in his life.

By Walter Witke

I knew him from lectures and EMBL corridors. I didn’t know him personally, but whenever I passed by I felt I had passed by a friend.

by Sanja Tomic

I was chairman of EMBL SAC when Matti was appointed at a very young age to be Programme Coordinator for Structural Biology at EMBL. The appointment was a wonderful recognition of Matti’s achievements in science, his ability to incorporate structures with biochemistry, and his leadership qualities that enabled him to steer this programme with imaginative young appointments to the triumphs that we see today.

by Louise Johnson

I will always remember Matti as that big figure that used to attend structures seminars and ask the best questions, and show a true interest, with great humour. Giving a seminar in his presence was always an enjoyable experience.

by Miguel Andrade

Our years in Heidelberg were very good years, and his support – both scientific and personal – has helped us a lot to bring us where we are now, and to master some difficult times. This we will not forget, and the Matti we will remember is a optimistic and forward – looking one.

by Mathias Gautel, Gudrun Kunst and Gidon and Livia Gautel

Whatever the task at hand, it is difficult to think of someone more pleasant to work with than Matti, who made it a matter of course to cut down to absolute zero all unnecessary fuss. I still have his deep voice over the phone in my ear, pondering difficulties and offering easy-to-implement solutions. Our relationship had taken from the start avery friendly tone, which matured well as years went by. It was always a pleasure to stop by in Heidelberg and visit him and his family.

by Jean-Luc Popot

He was a truly wonderful colleague and collaborator. He was generous in all his dealings. He put people before his subject but he also strove to advance his own subject in a selfless way. He was the last to allow petty jealousies or personal competitiveness to rule. He has advanced his subject in a deep way but above all, left a legacy of true friends and admirers throughout the scientific community. He is sadly missed.

by Andrew Thomson

I have chosen to remember Matti on a sunny evening in Birmingham, in July 2000. We had a couple of pints, and spent a few hours talking in a modern, spacious bar, quite unlike the traditional English pub. Large glass windows gave us a wonderful view of the deep blue sky which later turned reddish, and of the busy street outside. Inevitably, we talked science, and equally inevitably, he enquired about the political situation in the Basque Country. I can clearly see Matti now lit by the sunset. His hair, his face and his clothes had acquired an earthy shade, the colour of the Finnish woods in Autumn.

by F.M. Goni

You have been appreciated as co-ordinator of our Programme, perhaps more than you realised. In planning for the Programme, you used your generalist nature to advantage: you did not show bias but endeavoured to take decisions that would bring the Programme forward collectively. Also, at a more individual level, you did not play games with people — such that a person could approach you and speak openly without fear of jeopardy. These qualities were highly valued. Reciprocity in life is rare: Perhaps you supported us more than we supported you. But we miss you now and we’ll continue to do so. Rest in peace, Matti.

unsigned

I will remember him as a calm, listening person, smoking his beloved pipe. He always had time to listen and gave friendly advice and warm words.

by Mervi Lampinen

Things that come to mind thinking of Matti: lake pipe sailing mushrooms green polenta Brandenburg concert no. 5 barbecue In our garden in Ljubljana we planted a hydrangea (ortensia) for him. Beautiful blossoms.

by Kristina, Oliviero and Natalia