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Professor Reinhard Radermacher Honored Posthumously

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Reinhard Radermacher's family accepted a special award in recognition of his unparalled career in innovation at the University of Maryland.

Former CEEE Director Reinhard Radermacher, who passed away in January, is being honored posthumously with two special recognitions. Radermacher is being named a Distinguished University Professor, effective July 1, 2025. This title is the highest academic honor conferred by the University of Maryland on members of its faculty and is awarded to a limited number of the university’s most accomplished professors. The nomination was submitted in Fall 2024. Radermacher is being awarded this title posthumously "in recognition of his major contributions focused on reducing the environmental impact of energy conversion systems by improving their efficiency and enhancing their performance."

In addition, Radermacher received special recognition for a lifetime of innovation at the university’s Invention of the Year Awards on May 13. “Dr. Radermacher leaves a legacy as the most prolific University of Maryland inventor – with 150 inventions disclosed over 40 years,” said Felicia Metz, associate director of UM Ventures, which promotes commercialization of university discoveries and hosts the Invention of the Year Awards each spring to honor university inventors.  

Radermacher was an Invention of the Year winner in 2010 and a finalist three other times. In 2015, he received the Corporate Connector of the Year Award for the partnerships he forged with the private sector. 

"Dr. Radermacher was the most prolific inventor in our university’s history, but more importantly he was one of our best people."

UMD President Darryll J. Pines

Six companies went on to develop and commercialize his inventions through licensing agreements with the university, including large corporations, like Whirlpool and Samsung, and two start-ups that he co-founded, Optimized Thermal Systems and Mobile Comfort.

“UM Ventures has been fortunate to support Dr. Radermacher's innovative work,” Metz said, “and we wanted to honor his many contributions to the university's innovation ecosystem.”

Radermacher’s wife, Paula Jean Hallberg, and daughter Karen Radermacher accepted the honor in his place. “The part that struck me most about my dad and his work was the joy,” said Karen Radermacher. “And I believe that that joy combined with the friendships and collaboration and dedication to his mission is what led him to spend decades coming up with new ideas and working together to achieve them.”

In a recorded message, UMD President Darryll J. Pines said, “Dr. Radermacher was the most prolific inventor in our university’s history, but more importantly he was one of our best people. His academic excellence was truly matched by the kindness he showed colleagues and students, and he is deeply missed.” 

Published May 14, 2025